Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 004 - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS › Rule 004.00.17-004 - AR-011 News Media Interviews and Correspondence

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
011
News Media, Interviews and
		  Correspondence
I.
POLICY OF DEPARTMENT
:
To provide representatives of the news media with access, and
			 information, to the maximum extent possible compatible with the orderly
			 administration of Arkansas Department of Correction facilities and
			 programs.
II.
DEFINITION
:
News Media - Properly credentialed representatives of news
			 organizations; whose primary purpose is not for commercial production or
			 entertainment. This may include representatives of: general circulation
			 newspapers, periodical magazines of national circulation sold through
			 newsstands and/or subscriptions to the general public, online outlets,
			 local/national/international news services; and radio/television
			 stations/networks holding a Federal Communication Commission license.
III.
EXPLANATION
:
A. After making prior arrangements with the
		  Department's Public Information Officer and being approved by the Director,
		  news media representatives should be admitted to correctional institutions and
		  facilities during administrative business hours. Access may be permitted at
		  times other than regular business hours at the discretion of the Warden,
		  appropriate Deputy /Assistant Director or the Director.
B. Interviews with correctional officials in
		  general should be granted to enable the Department to provide the public, via
		  the news media, with a better appreciation and understanding of the needs and
		  problems of the agency and of incarcerated men and women. Interviews should
		  also be granted so that Department staff can discuss the community's role in
		  the re-entry process.
C. With
		  respect to requests for interviews with inmates, it will be necessary for the
		  representative of the news organization to first contact the inmate to obtain
		  the inmate's permission to be interviewed. The inmate may wish to consult with
		  his/her attorney of record before agreeing to be interviewed and/or
		  photographed. Before being interviewed or photographed, the inmate must sign an
		  Inmate Consent Form which should be witnessed by a Department staff
		  member.
D. Prior to granting
		  approval for interviews with inmates, the Director and Public Information
		  Officer will have to take into consideration the effect such an interview may
		  have on the inmate, and his/her personal mental attitude, the effect it may
		  have on other inmates and institutional operations, the effect it may have on
		  any victims, and the effect of an interview with respect to any pending review
		  of clemency applications or litigation involving the inmate.
E. All interviews must be approved by the
		  Director and interviews may be approved with or without cameras; at the
		  Director's discretion.
F. Inmates
		  shall be allowed to send correspondence to and receive correspondence from news
		  media representatives with no greater limitation or restriction imposed by the
		  institution than upon any other general correspondence sent out and received by
		  the inmate.
G. The news media
		  representative shall be escorted by the warden or his/her designee while at the
		  institution.
H. With the approval
		  of the Director, the Public Information Officer may develop and implement
		  programs, policies and procedures that advance the news media's, and public's
		  knowledge of the Department or that highlight a special event.
IV.
NOTIFICATION
		  OF EMERGENCIES AND OTHER CRITICAL INCIDENTS
:
Emergencies and other critical incidents shall be reported to the
			 local news media by the Public Information Officer only after contact has been
			 made with the Director, Board of Corrections, the Governor's Office and other
			 officials as determined by the Director. Emergencies and other critical
			 incidents generally include: escapes, riots, altercations where outside medical
			 treatment or hospitalization is required for offenders or employees, suicides,
			 lockups, escape attempts, fires, and major damage to state property.
Board Approval Date: 5/11/2018
Reference: N/A
Effective Date: 5/21/2018
Supersedes: AR011
Dated: 5/11/2018