Embezzler : Second Version Classification Board Only

This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

WNYC's public service series with NYC Department of Correction.

Classification Board [not listed] Captain Jerome Adler, Captain in charge of classification and assignment at Riker's Island; Dr. Bertram Pollens, Executive Secretary, New York Consultation Center; Herman K. Spector, Director of Education and Recreation, Department of Correction; George E. Mears, Probation Officer, Kings County; Norman M. Stone, Correction Department Executive Secretary; Dr. Harold R. Fox, Psychiatrist, Riker's Island Penitentiary; Dr. M. D. Farman, Medical Officer, Riker's Island Hospital) revisits the previous case of a married man who embezzles money from his employer to give to a woman with whom he's fallen in love.

Mears: Why did he suddenly lose interest in his family and home? What will the prison experience mean to him? What will the effect be on his future adjustment? What can be gained from this experience? How serious is his near sightedness? Chances of placement in the field of auto mechanics?

Fox: Examination revealed no evidence of psychosis. Infatuation was a sort of rebellion against monotony and frustration in his life. Most likely psycho-neurotic whose early life included some conflict, likely with his father. Dissatisfaction with his life is just part of the picture.

Pollens: Doesn't belong in our pen. Why wasn't he placed in probation?

Mears: He had a previous conviction (impersonating an officer) in 1943.

Pollens: Doesn't make him a hardened criminal.

Stone: We don't know enough about him yet.

Unidentified: If we decide he doesn't need to be there, our opinion will be more valuable than if he goes to a legal aid society and asks himself.

Mears: We should bring it to the attention of the courts for reconsideration.

Fox: This man should not remain an inmate in our institution.

Pollens: His vocation should be discussed in line with his avocations. His life has lacked color. He has been looking for glamour. Find an outlet for this glamour drive.

Adler: Would prefer to remain in clerical work. We'll only have him here for a short period of time. He is a stenographer.

Spector: We have the facilities to provide mechanic instruction during his incarceration.

Farman: His nearsightedness will not interfere if he can wear his glasses at work.

Unidentified: Should be kept away from evil associates. Assignment in an office would help him in that direction.

Unidentified: A prison is a community, and a man must learn to live with his companions, to tell right from wrong.

Unidentified: You can't teach a man to swim by throwing him in the ocean. This is a weak man, we should watch him for a while.

Adler: I was voting for clerical work, but we should plan a full time program. We will have him do something in the evening school in addition to activity during the day time.

Fox: Expression through art in the evenings. It has been found that a great many people who never felt interested in art could express themselves graphically.

Unidentified: His church attendance has been irregular.

Fox: He should be under the care of psychotherapy to get an insight into the causes of his behavior.

Mears: Not a chronic alcoholic, though a frequent drinker. This may account for his having met this beautician.

Pollens: Is the drinking apart from the criminality?

Fox: Same cause is responsible for drinking and stealing. We must determine the underlying motive.

Pollens: What about Alcoholics Anonymous movement after his release?

Fox: The drinking has been infrequent and has never caused him to lose a job.

Mears: The institution make a recommendation to the court that the judge reconsider the sentencing. The board feels he might not be helped, but hurt, in the institution. Vocation should be changed so he would be able to get a job upon release: auto mechanics. Evening courses for mental stimulation. Psychiatrist should interview the life to find out if she is a normal person. If she is not, she be referred to an outside clinic. Should be recommended to see the institutional Chaplain. Referred to psychiatrist. Varied leisure time program to interest himself in new hobbies. Doesn't require too close supervision.

[No credits or sign-off at tail.]

See also: records 8643 and 69891 for different versions of this case. May also be related to record 8472.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 69925
Municipal archives id: LT923