Opinion ID: 1918563
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Other Psychological Evaluations

Text: Pursuant to the order of the Appellate Division entered February 4, 1999, the Parole Board was required to make available to Trantino's counsel copies of various documents that were reviewed by the Parole Board, parole authorities, and state experts. Those documents included approximately fifty psychological evaluations of Trantino, in addition to those evaluations previously identified in this opinion. Although only a relatively small number of those evaluations were reproduced in the printed record submitted to this Court, all of the remaining psychological evaluations were provided to the Court by the Attorney General's office and we treat those evaluations as part of the record in this appeal. Because Trantino did not become eligible for parole consideration until 1979, we have examined closely only the thirty-five psychological evaluations from 1979 to date. We note that the Parole Board, in its decision denying parole, does not appear to take into account the conclusions reached in any of those thirty-five psychological evaluations, although their decision makes reference to findings concerning Trantino's personality disorders in two of those evaluations. Our review of those thirty-five psychological evaluations, spanning the period from 1979 to 1997, reveals that eight of the evaluations focused not on parole eligibility but rather on Trantino's suitability for full-minimum status, para-professional placement within the correctional system, or halfway house placement, and all such evaluations were favorable and supportive. Of the twenty-seven psychological evaluations that focused on suitability for parole, twenty-three were favorable and supportive, one was not supportive, and three could fairly be described as guarded. Among the more comprehensive evaluations in the record are two by Dr. Kenneth L. McNiel, principal clinical psychologist at the Avenel Diagnostic and Treatment Center. In June 1991 Dr. McNiel observed: Regarding personal changes during this period of incarceration, several factors suggest that Mr. Trantino had indeed made significant progress in managing emotional conflicts without manifesting impulsive, acting out behaviors. First, he has maintained sobriety for many years, and it is undeniable that his extensive history of drug and alcohol abuse contributed to his overall reckless and dangerous lifestyle as a young adult. Second, his institutional record clearly indicates steady improvement in institutional adjustment with decreased conflicts with authority figures over time. Third, a review of previous psychological evaluations also suggests steady improvement in emotional functioning over time. Fourth, Mr. Trantino has clearly achieved a new identity for himself, no longer the wild and careless outlaw, but now the respected inmate and published author. Finally, Mr. Trantino has demonstrated some improvement in specific aspects of his antisocial personality. For example, an inability to empathize or appreciate the viewpoints of others is one common feature of antisocial and narcissistic personalities. Consistent with this, when asked about his first wife during his first psychological evaluation by Joseph Fahey (4/15/64), Mr. Trantino expressed bitterness towards her for not visiting him, despite his acknowledgment that he had abused her and cheated on her. When asked a similar question during the present evaluation, Mr. Trantino reported, She was a kid, only 19 years old. She was scared to death. I only treated her terrible, so it makes sense to me that she wouldn't visit. At that time, I wasn't really thinking about her, I was just self-absorbed and hurt. Furthermore, Mr. Trantino is better able to recognize his inadequacies and ongoing problems than previously, and appears more capable of experiencing emotional satisfaction without the use of artificial stimulants or extreme stimulation. In October 1992, after a second evaluation, Dr. McNiel observed: As noted in the previous evaluation, Mr. Trantino's fundamental personality is of a narcissistic and antisocial type, and this will likely remain unchanged throughout his life. However, as is usually the case with similar personality structures, there comes a time in the middle to late adulthood when the antisocial personality seems to burn out, leaving a less energetic, less impulsive individual. It would appear that this process has begun to happen for Mr. Trantino. As to what this means for community release, it would appear that critical factors remain similar to the previous evaluation, including an initial period of close supervision to include monitoring for substance abuse, mental health treatment, and vocational and social support as needed. How well Mr. Trantino will ultimately fare in response to specific life stresses in the future is not easily predicted, thus it would appear that the availability of appropriate support systems and monitoring would make the most sense. As to whether release should be though a halfway house placement or direct community release, this frankly seems less important than whether appropriate treatment and parole supports are in place if and when full release is granted.