The news media, inmates, and general public members will be afforded access and/or non-confidential information about the Adult Detention Facilities to ensure the dissemination of information regarding the Facilities operations. The Adult Detention Facilities have the responsibility to protect the privacy and rights of inmates and members of the staff. Interviews within the Facilities will be regulated to ensure the orderly and safe operation of the Facilities.

DEFINITIONS

Adult Detention Division Press Information Officer - The Adult Detention Division Commander

Representatives of News Media - A person whose primary employment is gathering or reporting news for:

• A newspaper qualifying as a general circulation newspaper in the community to which it publishes.
• News magazine having a national circulation being sold by news stands and by mail circulation to the general public.
• National or international news service.
• Radio and television news programs of stations holding Federal Communication Commission licenses.

Newspaper - A newspaper is one of the "general circulation" if it circulates among the general public and if it publishes news of a general character of general interest.

General Circulation - A "general circulation" newspaper publishes legal notices in the community in which it is distributed. It is held that for a newspaper to be considered, by law, a newspaper of general circulation, and so qualified to publish legal notices, it must contain items of general interest to the public such as news of political, religious, commercial, or social affairs.

NEWS MEDIA

• Representatives of the news media and other media are encouraged to visit the Adult Detention Facilities for the purpose of preparing reports about the Facilities, its programs, and activities.
• News representatives are encouraged to make advance appointments for visits with the Adult Detention Division Commander/designee who is the Facility Press Information Officer.
• Announcements of unusual incidents will be made to local news media as promptly as possible by the Adult Detention Division Commander / designee.
• During a Facility emergency, and for a reasonable time thereafter, the Adult Detention Division Commander/designee may suspend all media visits.
• An inmate or a representative of the news media may initiate a request for a personal interview with each other at the Facilities. Interviews are not designated to provide publicity for inmates or special privileges for the news media, but rather to ensure a better informed public.
• Questions or comments as to the application of any rule, regulation or order of the Facilities by media representatives will be referred to the Adult Detention Division Commander or designee.

INMATE / MEDIA CONSENT / AGREEMENT

An interview with an inmate or use of video, film, or audio equipment may be disapproved for any of the following reasons:

• The news media representative, or the news organization which he or she represents, does not agree to the conditions established by the policy.
• The inmate is physically or mentally unable to participate. This will be supported by a medical statement of the Facility Medical Supervisor, a copy of which is to be placed in the inmate’s booking pouch, substantiating the reason for disapproval.

When media representatives visit the Facility, photographs or programs, activities, and interviews may be taken. Inmates have the right to privacy and not to be photographed (still, movie, or video), and not have their voices recorded by the media. A written consent must be obtained from the inmate(s) prior to photographing the inmate or recording the inmate’s voice. The form will be placed in the inmate’s booking pouch. Release of information / interview authorization form will be used.

Due to special security, Adult Detention and supervisory requirements necessitated by interviews, an inmate in segregation, restriction, hold over, or hospital status may be limited depending upon the individual situation. All cases must receive the approval of the Adult Detention Division Commander/designee.

INMATE REQUESTS FOR NEWS MEDIA INTERVIEWS

An inmate requesting an interview with the news media will submit an "Inmate Request Form" to the Adult Detention Division Commander/designee prior to the requested date and time of the interview.

Inmate interviews will not be subject to custody auditory monitoring. Visual supervision may be maintained to ensure the safety of the inmate and news media representative.

Interviews will be held in an activity room on the module where the inmate is housed. All interviews will be conducted during normal weekday business hours unless prior arrangements are approved by the Adult Detention Division Commander / designee.

NEWS MEDIA REQUEST FOR INMATE INTERVIEWS

Representatives of the news media may request to interview a particular inmate. The request may be made in writing or by telephone to the Adult Detention Division Commander/designee within a reasonable period of time prior to the requested time for the interview.

The request from the media will normally be approved or disapproved by the Adult Detention Division Commander/designee usually immediately or within a reasonable time depending upon the security conditions required.

After the request from the news media for the interview is received, the inmate will be notified of the interview request. The inmate must agree to be interviewed and must sign a consent forrn before the request will be considered. The written consent or denial will, in all cases, be placed in the inmate’s booking pouch.

OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS

Information will not be released in conflict with California Government Code Section 6254.

Requests from federal, state, and local legislative and executive bodies for information concerning programs and specific cases will be responded to within five (5) working days by the Adult Detention Division Commander or his designee.

Inmates and general public members may request non-confidential policy or procedures information by the following means:

• Inmate request via the Facility Law Library
• Personal request via the Sergeant

The following policies or procedures will be made available for inmate or general public review:

• Stanislaus County Adult Detention Facility rules and procedures affecting inmates as specified in sections:
• 1043, 1045, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1069, 1070, 1071, 1080, 1081, 1082, 1083, and 1200 of Title 15 Board of Corrections Regulations.

A copy of the following publications will be available for inmate or general public review upon request:

• "Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Local Detection Facilities."
• "California Laws Pertaining to County and City Adult Detention Facilities."

Public speaking engagement for Adult Detention Division staff are encouraged. All requests will be submitted to the Adult Detention Division Commander for approval.

The Sheriff-Coroner will conduct formal press conferences as necessary to inform the public of specific problem areas or the success of the Facility programs.