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
