Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 22 - CORRECTIONS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT › Part I - Corrections › Chapter 3 - Adult Services › Subchapter A - General › Section I-339 - Public Information Program and Media Access

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A. Purpose-to state the general guidelines
				  regarding department policies aimed at maintaining informative relationships
				  with the public, the media and other agencies.
B. Applicability-deputy secretary,
				  undersecretary, chief of operations, regional wardens, wardens, Director of
				  Probation and Parole, Director of Prison Enterprises and communications
				  director. Each unit head shall develop procedures to facilitate interaction
				  with the public, the media, and other agencies and is responsible for ensuring
				  that appropriate unit written policy and procedures are in place to comply with
				  the provisions of this regulation and to inform employees and offenders of its
				  contents.
C. Policy. It is the
				  secretarys policy to maintain a cooperative and responsible relationship with
				  and to inform the public, media and other agencies concerning department
				  operations, accomplishments, challenges and critical incidents. News media
				  inquiries shall be responded to in an accurate and timely manner, consistent
				  with the security, public safety and the privacy interests of the department,
				  its staff and offenders. All legitimate news media organizations shall be
				  allowed reasonable access to the states correctional facilities unless security
				  considerations dictate otherwise.
D. Definitions
Commercial Production-
freelance
					 photographers, writers and film makers who intend to sell their work product
					 (including uncommitted documentaries) for profit to other companies.
Credentials
-for purposes of
					 identification, both photo identification, such as a valid drivers license, and
					 identification (ID) card issued by the reporters place of employment shall be
					 required. In the absence of employee ID cards, the department reserves the
					 right to verify all identification and to refuse admittance when such
					 identification is found to be suspect.
Designated Spokesperson
-an individual
					 employee that has been given permission to speak to the media on behalf of the
					 department, institution, or Probation and Parole Office. These persons are
					 granted permission to speak to the media by the unit head.
News Media
-any accredited agency that
					 gathers and reports news for a general circulation newspaper, news magazine,
					 national or international news service or radio/television news program. This
					 includes newspapers, publications, television/radio stations and internet news
					 services. Authors or freelance journalists who are researching and/or writing
					 articles about corrections or criminal justice topics must provide credentials
					 to verify their association with a legitimate news/media organization.
News Release
-a written statement
					 concerning an issue, event or situation for which the department wishes to make
					 a permanent record for widespread dissemination.
On Record Correspondence
-official and
					 quotable communication or information dissemination on behalf of the Department
					 of Corrections with any media or news outlet.
E. Release of Information
1. The secretary shall have discretion to
				  grant or deny an interview request.
2. Information regarding non-restrictive
				  departmental operations, policies, procedures, etc. shall be released through
				  the communications director.
3.
				  Departmental news releases shall be disseminated through the communications
				  director. Unit specific news releases shall be submitted to the communications
				  director for review and approval prior to dissemination.
4. The unit head or his designee shall inform
				  the communications director of any and all news media requests. The
				  communications director shall advise and assist the unit head or designee in
				  all matters, responses, and information dissemination related to such
				  requests.
5. Any on record
				  correspondence with local, state, national or international media, whether in
				  person, telephone, or writing, must first be approved by the communications
				  director, the secretary or the executive counsel.
6. The reporting of unusual occurrences shall
				  be made in accordance with established policy and procedures. In addition, the
				  secretary, chief of operations and communications director shall be made aware
				  as soon as possible of any incidents involving offenders under the supervision
				  of the Division of Probation and Parole.
7. Unless specifically assigned to do so by
				  the unit head, other departmental employees shall not make statements on behalf
				  of the unit or the department. Staff shall refer all media inquiries to the
				  unit head or designee.