Auburn Prison Psychological Examination Reports B0010

Auburn Prison Psychological Examination Reports

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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

This series consists of inmates' psychological testing records, primarily the Tree-House-Person drawing test and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test, but some Rorschach ink-blot pictures responses and Incomplete Sentences test forms, and Mooney Problem Check Lists are included. Files usually included data forms with detailed personal information including race, military service, education, and family and social background. The series also contains a file of monthly psychologist's reports detailing the number of tests and counseling sessions given.

Creator:

Auburn Prison

Title:

Psychological examination reports

Quantity:

3 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:

1955-1962

Series Number:

B0010

Arrangement

Chronological by date of evaluation, then alphabetical by last name of patient.

Scope and Content Note

These are records of psychological testing of inmates.

Most of the series consists of Psychological Examination Reports describing the results of either the "Tree-House-Person drawing test", in which the psychologist evaluated the inmate's mental condition on the basis of his drawings of a tree, a house, and a person, or of the WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) test. Along with these reports are responses to Rorschach ink-blot pictures.

There are also records of inmates who were parole or execute clemency applicants. Besides psychologist's examination reports, these folders usually contain Psychological Data Forms giving name; number; age; race; date; marital status; military service; offense; sentence; referred by; reason; previous offenses; education; family and social background; employment; institutional programs; significant difficulties; testing results; and other information and comments the psychologist may wish to include. The folders also contain Incomplete Sentences test forms filled in by the inmates up for parole or executive clemency; inmates completed sentences begun with phrases such as "I hate [fill in blank]"; "People [fill in blank]"; or "My greatest worry is [fill in blank]". A few folders also contain WAIS record forms or Rorschach test results.

The series also contains a file of monthly psychologists' reports detailing the number of tests and counseling sessions given. There are also a few sample Mooney Problem Check Lists, in which inmates filled in forms describing their problems and fears.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

A container list is available at the repository.

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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.