Auburn Prison Psychological Evaluation Reports
Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources
Overview of the Records
New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
1.5 cubic feet
Arrangement
Alphabetic by name of incarcerated individual.
Scope and Content Note
These are reports by psychologists of the mental conditions of incarcerated individuals and recommendations for work assignments. The Correction Law required classification clinic staff to determine the physical and mental condition of people sent to prison.
A folder for each incarcerated individual usually contains a psychologists' guidance and recommendation form, giving the date; name, number, and age; intelligence score; general adaptability score; what work he could do best; work desired; and personality traits. Most files also include an Auburn Prison Classification Clinic Psychologists' Report, giving date; consecutive number; by whom referred; age; handedness; language used in home; birthplace; birthplace of father and mother; school grade completed; years in U.S.; years in north; mental age; I.Q.; results of tests; and remarks.
The folders may also contain psychologists' examination reports giving name and number; date admitted; date of test; examiner; age; mental age; rating; school grade completed; scholastic achievement; education age; test results; comments on test findings; and impressions. There are also some checklists of jobs preferred. The folders usually contain results of tests such as the Army Group Examination of Stanford Language and Arithmetic tests.
Other Finding Aids
Available at Repository
Container list is available at the repository.
Access Restrictions
Summary information on adult incarcerated individuals is disclosable under law. State Archives staff will review records containing probation, parole, medical, and juvenile criminal history data and disclose information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law and Personal Privacy Protection Law. The identity of victims of sex crimes is not disclosable. Unless a specific law forbids disclosure indefinitely, all records must be disclosed after 75 years.