After critical Sidley report, leaders leave psychologists group that backed harsh interrogations
Top officials of the nation’s largest professional organization for psychologists have left their jobs after a critical report by Sidley Austin.
The report, commissioned by the American Psychological Association’s board, found that the group had colluded with Bush administration officials to maintain professional guidelines that would not prohibit harsh interrogation techniques used on terrorism detainees, the New York Times (reg. req.) reports.
The APA’s ethics office “prioritized the protection of psychologists—even those who might have engaged in unethical behavior—above the protection of the public,” the report states.
Nadine Kaslow chairs a special committee created by the APA’s board to oversee the Sidley investigation. She told the Times on Tuesday that she was “shocked and stunned, and sad and distressed” when she read the law firm’s report.
The board will be forwarding the report to intelligence and armed services committees in Congress, Kaslow said.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Behavioral Experts Denounce Interrogation Abuse”
New York Times (reg. req.): “Outside Psychologists Shielded U.S. Torture Program, Report Finds”
