Protestant Chaplain Interview Files from Dannemora State Hospital and State Prisons

Alphabetic by inmate's last name.

These files consist of some correspondence but mostly of forms compiled by Protestant Chaplains while conducting an interview with an inmate to determine religious affiliation. All files pertain to patients at Dannemora State Hospital.

Many of the files also contain a full face photograph of the inmate. The files were generated by Chaplains from different prisons throughout New York State. Forms can be found dealing with inmates originally housed at Clinton, Ossining, Attica, Great Meadow and Elmira. The forms vary from one another in format and detail, but they all basically provide information on the inmates' residence, parents, marital status, crime, sentence, and church affiliation. Many of the files contain forms completed by the Chaplain at Dannemora State Hospital. These forms provide the same data as the other prison interview forms plus observational notes on the inmate's current functioning (inmate displays: hostility, trust, anxiety, fear, depression, etc.) and overall impression, prognosis and possible actions to be taken. Some of the Dannemora forms also provide more detail regarding the inmate's religious beliefs, describing sacraments received, church activities, church attendance, and attitude regarding faith.

Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office of Mental Health.