Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 291 - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Division 204 - MEDIA ACCESS
Section 291-204-0030 - General Provisions Governing Media Access

(1) Media Access to Facilities and Programs: Consistent with the Department's policy, media representatives are encouraged to visit and tour facilities and programs for the purpose of professional enhancement, observation and reporting.

(2) Media Access to Designated Inmates: Media representatives who desire contact with a designated inmate may seek to do so through correspondence, telephone or visiting. Media representatives may request a special visit to interview the inmate consistent with the provisions set forth in Media Access to Designated Inmates (OAR 291-204-0060).

(3) Media Access to Staff: Media representatives who desire access to a DOC facility to interview a staff member will generally be accommodated if the staff member and the functional unit manager consent.

(4) Media Access in the Event of an Emergency: Media may be restricted from access to facilities for security purposes, during emergencies or when access would be a disruption of operational activities. In accordance with the Department's rules on Release of Public Information (OAR 291-039), the Department may designate a news media center.

(5) Media Coverage of Executions: Media access to DOC facilities and staff in connection with media coverage of an execution is set forth in the Department's rules on Capital Punishment (Death by Lethal Injection) (OAR 291-024).

(6) Media Coverage to Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision Hearings: Media access to Board hearings is set forth in the Department's rules on Access to Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision Hearings (OAR 291-153) and the Board's rule on Who May Appear at a Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision Hearing (OAR 255-030-0026).

(7) Media Access Regarding Matters that are the Subject of Pending or Anticipated Litigation: Media access for the purpose of reporting about matters that are the subject of pending or anticipated litigation is not permitted, except under OAR 291-204-0040.

(8) The Department has a responsibility to:

(9) When appropriate, the PIO may make available to the media representative(s) a staff member knowledgeable on the subject matter at hand who can provide additional background information.

(10) Upon request, the PIO will identify an appropriate inmate(s) to be interviewed if the interview is consistent with the provisions of these rules.

(11) Notwithstanding these provisions, the Department may initiate contact and provide access to media representatives or unaffiliated persons to report on its activities that further its mission, goals and the Oregon Accountability Model.