California Code of Regulations
Title 15 - Crime Prevention and Corrections
Division 3 - Adult Institutions, Programs and Parole
Chapter 1 - Rules and Regulations of Adult Operations and Programs
Subchapter 4 - General Institution Regulations
Article 1 - Public Information and Community Relations
Section 3261.1 - Media Access to Facilities

(a) Access to a department facility or contract facility for a news media representative, as defined in subsection 3261.5(a)(1), shall require prior approval of either the institution head or the Assistant Secretary of Communications or designee. Access to a department facility for a non-news media representative, as defined in subsection 3261.5(a)(2), shall require prior approval of both the institution head and the Assistant Secretary of Communications or their designees. For each request for access from a news media representative or a non-news media representative, the institution head or the Office of Public and Employee Communications shall provide an initial response back within two (2) working days. In order to deny an access request for a news media or a non-news media representative, the institution head shall secure advance authorization from the Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) or designee.

(b) Except as provided by subsection 3261.5(b), news media and non-news media representatives within a facility shall be under the direct supervision of the facility's or regional Public Information Officer or their designee as determined by the institution head.

(c) News media and non-news media representatives shall not enter condemned units, the execution chamber, or any area currently affected by an emergency situation without approval of the Secretary of the CDCR or designee.