This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
"Both the convict and society benefit by these classification board evaluation sessions. The offender is considered as an individual in need of guidance, like this one…"
In a brief dramatic monologue, an actor lays out this twenty-three year old inmate's life-story. He's a longshoreman in a gang, who has been in an out of reformatories ever since he dropped out of the seventh grade. His parents are separated, and he grew up in a variety of different homes.
He was brought in for possession of a revolver without a license.
"I don't care what they do with me for this three year stretch in the pen," he says, "I'll just be waiting to get out."
The classification board gathers to discuss his case. The narrator lists them by name and position. (Peter F. Amoroso, Commissioner of the Department of Correction; Norman M. Stone, Correction Department Executive Secretary; George E. Mears, Probation Officer, Kings County; Herman K. Spector, Director of Education and Recreation, Department of Correction; Captain Jerome Adler, Captain in charge of classification at Riker's Island; Dr. Bertram Pollens, Executive Secretary, New York Consultation Center)
Mr. Mears adds to the dramatic summary, detailing a list of arrests for crimes like juvenile delinquency, burglary, petty larceny, and violation of probation. He says that the man has a poor educational record, is remembered by his employers as "as lazy, unreliable and in general, unsatisfactory," and "is well known to associate with a group of rowdies who have terrorized store keepers in the area."
The discussion begins with the man's medical condition. He has what they refer to as "Huntington's chorea," now known as Huntington's disease, a progressive, chronic condition that affects the nervous system and causes tremors.
Dr. Amaroso states his opinion that the discussion should not proceed until the man has undergone a more thorough medical, psychological, and neurological work-up. This idea is touched on several times over the course of the conversation, until Dr. Amaroso finally admits that they are only trying to solve the case with a quick decision "this afternoon because we're on the radio."
Still, Mr. Stone tries to probe the question further, wondering whether there is a connection between the disease and the man's criminality, whether his "big shot attitude" is a "compensation for his defect." Dr. Amaroso continues to defer to further medical and psychological testing, so Mr. Stone moves on to possible trades and training.
Mr. Specter suggests farm work. Mr. Pollens objects on emotional grounds. The boy might have enough intelligence to work on a farm, but "the important feature of this case is that this boy is looking for self-expression. He's been kicked around all his life, and so he is trying to kick society around." He worries that farming will not be a good outlet for the boy, who is sullen and aggressive.
They discuss other options, but continually return to the question of the boy's health. Then Mr. Mears reminds them that the boy also, "has been negative to any type of treatment that we've attempted to offer him." He worries that the boy will reject any attempt to learn a trade, even if they do find a suitable one, due to his "psychopathic personality."
Mr. Stone, however, argues that they have a responsibility to all of their inmates, and cannot simply "pass the buck."
Dr. Pollens introduces the idea of the piggery. Many tough inmates in the past, he says, have been softened by their work with the animals, and the man who runs the piggery is not a bullying, authoritative type. Dr. Amaroso raises practical concerns—for medical reasons, the young man has to be placed in Riker's Island, since only Riker's has access to enough medical care, and Riker's does not have a piggery. It does, however, has a poultry farm, run by a "good" and "sympathetic" farmer.
Mr. Mears argues an alternative course. He wants to young man to be placed in the arts and crafts division, where he can be closely monitored by psychiatrists and "interpreted in terms of behavior and emotion."
The group is split over the idea, but ultimately decide that the young man might respond negatively to constant psychological supervision.
Mr. Stone summarizes their findings, concluding that they will wait for medical and psychological guidance before giving him a permanent assignment.
The announcer lists the members of the board again, and gives the credits for the dramatized portion of the play.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 8609
Municipal archives id: LT922