S130-Inmate Media Access

Question 1

S130

Answer 1

Inmate Media Access

Question 2

Purpose

Answer 2

To grant media representatives access to Department facilities for reporting items of public interest, consistent with the preservation of inmate privacy and the maintenance of order and security.

Question 3

All media representative inquiries shall be referred to the

Answer 3

Chief of External Affairs or the Sheriff’s designee (collectively, “CEA”)

Question 4

All media requests for interviews shall be in writing on

Answer 4

company letterhead and received either through the mail, by e-mail, or via facsimile.

Question 5

Inmates shall have the right to refuse any and all requests made by a representative of the media, including

Answer 5

interviews, photographs and/or voice and video recordings.

Question 6

The Department has the right to deny and/or restrict media access;

Answer 6

The Department has the right to deny and/or restrict media access;

Question 7

all media requests for access are subject to the discretion of the

Answer 7

facility Superintendent

Question 8

The Sheriff, Superintendent or CEA and their designees have the right to

Answer 8

limit video, audio, and film equipment brought into the facility by a media representative if it is believed that the equipment will pose an operational or security threat.

Question 9

Film, video/audio recordings and photographic images intended for public distribution shall be edited to delete any identifiable representations of inmates who have not

Answer 9

signed consent forms.

Question 10

Media representatives shall be informed that the use of a film, tape or photographic image without the express written consent of identifiable inmates may:

Answer 10

A. lead to liability in tort;
B. result in forfeiture of the privilege to enter the facility; and
C. constitute a violation of CORI.

Question 11

Media representatives

Answer 11

professional, qualified, properly identified members of general circulation newspapers, magazines, television stations, movies, radio, national and international wire services, and internet-based news publications disseminated to a general circulation audience through printed or electronic means.

Question 12

Chief of External Affairs (CEA)

Answer 12

the chief spokesperson for the Department responsible for maintaining the relationship with the news media for purposes of releasing public information, or the Sheriff’s designee.

Question 13

Inmates or media representatives may initiate requests for interviews by contacting:

Answer 13

Suffolk County Jail Attn: Peter Van Delft, Director of External Affairs Communications and External Affairs Division (CEAD)

Question 14

Prior to authorization, all media requests for interviews must be in writing on

Answer 14

company letterhead and received either by mail, e-mail, or facsimile.

Question 15

Inmates may communicate with the media in writing or by telephone as provided in

Answer 15

S481, Inmate Mail and S482, Inmate Telephone Access

Question 16

When CEAD receives a request for media access, the CEA will contact the Superintendent to determine whether the granting of the interview would

Answer 16

in any way compromise or pose a threat to the security interests of the facility.

Question 17

Where the Superintendent determines that granting media access would pose a risk to the staff, media representative or inmate

Answer 17

the request will be denied.

Question 18

The CEA shall maintain a record of all requests for media access and

Answer 18

the Department’s response.

Question 19

Inmate(s) cleared by the Superintendent will be approached by a staff member and presented with the option of granting an interview to the media.

Answer 19

If the inmate agrees to grant the request, they will be required to complete the Media Consent (Form 130-1) prior to the interview.
If the inmate declines the request, they must sign the “Request Denied” portion of the consent form and the CEA will inform the media of the refusal.
The original signed consent form will be kept by the CEA and a copy filed in the inmate’s institutional record.

Question 21

Reasons for Denial of inmate media access

Answer 21

1. A media representative does not adhere to the standards or guidelines in this policy;
2. A media representative has previously failed to adhere to the standards or guidelines set forth in this policy;
3. The inmate has not provided written consent.
4. The inmate poses a threat to operational security, and may pose a safety concern to other inmates, employees, and/or the media representatives; or
5. An emergency situation exists, and/or the inmate population is on lock-down status.

Question 22

An inmate does not have the right to call a press conference.

Answer 22

An inmate does not have the right to call a press conference.

Question 23

Interviews will not be subject to monitoring or auditory supervision

Answer 23

unless security or inmate management issues require such supervision.

Question 24

If the frequency or duration of inmate interviews becomes burdensome on Department resources, or should operational or security needs dictate

Answer 24

media access will be limited.