Fury on Earth: A Biography of Wilhelm Reich

there is enough frank psychotic thinking to raise the question as to whether the

diagnostic label might more appropriately be Schizophrenic Paranoid type. In gen-

eral his emotional responses and behavior are consistent with his ideas. No halluci-

nations were elicited.

Discussion:

In my opinion the patient is mentally ill both from a legal and psychiatric

viewpoint, hence should not stand convicted of criminal charge.

Treatment:

Observation in a mental hospital.

So at Hubbard’s recommendation Reich was moved to the federal penitentiary in
Lewisburg, where there were better psychiatric facilities, and where he was examined once
more. The Lewisburg Board of Examiners stated:

During the interview, Reich’s emotional responses and general demeanor

were consistent with his expressed ideation. On occasions he elaborated upon cer-

tain theories which are not accepted generally by scientific circles but are adhered

to by certain groups which appear to be in the minority....

The following represents the consensus of the Board of Examiners...

1. During the interrogation, Reich gave no concrete evidence of being
   mentally incompetent. He is capable of adhering to the right and refraining from
   the wrong.


2. Although he expressed some bizarre ideation, his personality appears to
   be essentially intact.


3. In our opinion, it is felt that Reich could easily have a frank break with
   reality, and become psychotic, particularly if the stresses and environmental pres-
   sures become overwhelming^2.

Ilse Ollendorffoffered a charitable interpretation of the conclusion made by the
Board of Examiners:

The psychiatrists did not feel that much could be gained by re-opening the

entire case for reasons oflegal insanity, and second, they felt that a man of Reich’s

standing should not be made to suffer from the label of legal insanity. I think this

latter decision was an honorable one, and I am convinced that Reich himself would

have fought very hard against re-opening the case with a plea of legal insanity^3.

Reich was not alone in opposing the idea of insanity; Maguire and Mills also were
against it. On this one point the three stood in total accord. For the prosecution it would
have been very embarrassing to find they had convicted a mentally ill person. Indeed,
Maguire went to great lengths to prove Reich’s behavior sane.

32 : Prison and Death: 1957 435