Ohio State Graphologist

Author: SPSSI Council, source: Newsletter, May 1937

Context: “The Ohio State Welfare Department recently put on the state payroll a graphologist, who was assigned to the Parole Board to ‘aid in determining the eligibility of prisoners for parole.” The statement was released to the press April 22, 1937.

Position: "The Society vigorously approves of all attempts to make better use of existing tested techniques for the analysis of personality and character, aiming at better adjustment of prisoners to their environment, and at reform after release from detention. However, it is the opinion of the Council that the analysis of handwriting is not such a tested technique. At the present time we know very little regarding the relationships, between graphic expression and character traits. It is certainly too little for any emphasis to be placed on such evidence in deciding such important questions as probation, parole of further detention. To take a parallel, a physician who attempted to use such poorly established procedures in the care of a seriously sick person would certainly be guilty of malpractice.

The Society goes on record as opposing charlatanry of all kinds, but most especially when such quack practices, masquerading under the guise of scientific psychology, creep into the public service and bring discredit upon legitimate efforts. The administration of the state government of Ohio, by fostering such activities, is hampering the development of a scientific analysis of public problems. There are many professionally trained psychologists who (though they would hastily disclaim any pretense to a panacea for the problems of crime) could contribute valuable knowledge to the discussions of the Ohio Board of Parole. In Pennsylvania a psychologist is a member of the board and in many states a careful study of prisoners is a regular part of the procedure before applications for parole are heard. It is our fear that this venture into charlatanism may bring discredit to the work of the Board of Parole. We therefore urge the Welfare department to consult with reputable psychologists employing experimentally proven methods, to discontinue this experiment with techniques which may result in harm to the prisoner and the public.”