Clinton Prison Statistical Reports of the Classification Clinic

Reverse chronological.

This series consists of statistical reports documenting activities of the Clinton Prison Classification Clinic. Reporting periods vary from monthly to semi-annually. These reports were submitted to the Commissioner of Correction and to the warden or superintendent of the prison. The supervising psychiatrist, who was also director of the clinic, retained copies.

Reports give the numbers of: classified inmates, the board meeting, unclassified inmates, inmates interviewed for purposes other than classification or parole by either the psychiatrist or psychologist, inmates interviewed by psychiatrist for preparation for parole, inmates under observation, hours spent by psychiatrist in therapeutic work, inmates transferred to state hospital on account of insanity, inmates placed in observation during month on account of peculiar conduct, inmates transferred to Napanoch and to Albion, and of reports done for parole, clemency, and selective service purposes.

Remarks are frequently included in the reports; examples concern personnel changes, staff attendance at conferences and meetings, and explanations of reported statistics. Remarks also list names and identification numbers of inmates diagnosed as psychotic and transferred to Dannemora State Hospital. Beginning 1947, statistics are given for the availability of required clinic data on the prison population.

This accession resulted from a project by Archives staff in 1999 to describe or integrate estrayed or unidentified records. Records were apparently transferred to the Archives in 1977, but accessioning was delayed.

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.