Section 240-RICR-20-00-2.13 - Inmate Information / InterviewsA. Dissemination of Inmate Information:1. The Director or Chief of Information and Public Relations may provide the news media with the following information regarding an inmate. (See also, policy #1.07 DOC; Public Access to Departmental Records/Inmate Information, or successive policy): b. Inmate's age (not specific date of birth);c. Record of incarceration, including any/all information concerning dates of incarceration (present and prior);d. Court of jurisdiction;e. Parole eligibility date and projected release date;g. Placement (assigned facility);i. Community Confinement dates and information;j. Inmate's last known city/town of residence but not the specific street address; andk. ID photo, sentenced inmates only (subject to the Director's approval).2. In accordance with the Confidentiality of Health Care Communications and Information Act, medical and/or psychological information is not made available to the news media. (See also, policy #18.59 DOC; Confidentiality of Medical Information, or successive policy.)B. Inmate Interviews: 1. A personal interview may be authorized between an inmate and a representative of a news organization (a representative of public news media includes, but is not limited to, a reporter for a daily or weekly newspaper, a daily or weekly radio or television news program, and recognized general news magazines) subject to the following provisions: a. Requests: Routine requests for inmate interviews are directed in writing, using the News Media Request Form, to the Chief of Information and Public Relations. In circumstances where timeliness of reporting is a proper consideration, the written request may be sent via fax or E-mail to the Chief of Information and Public Relations. If the request is in response to a press release generated by the Chief of Information and Public Relations, a telephone request will suffice.b. Request Content: All requests (News Media Request Form) shall include:(1) The name of the publication or electronic broadcast;(2) The general nature of the proposed news item;(3) The method of coverage and type of equipment needed for the proposed coverage; and(4) All persons entering a correctional facility are subject to a security clearance (i.e., Bureau of Criminal Investigation [BCI] and National Criminal Information Center [NCIC]). If the interview will not take place inside a correctional facility, a security clearance check is not required. When practicable, the names and dates of birth of all persons requesting entrance to a facility are provided to the Chief of Information and Public Relations at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the anticipated visit.c. Procedure for Acting on Access Request: Each request for news media access to a RIDOC facility is handled by the Director or Chief of Information and Public Relations. A decision on whether to approve or deny the request is based on the following criteria:(1) News Organization: The request must be made by representative of the news media meeting the definition of a news organization as defined in § 2.13(B)(1) of this Part.(2) Law Enforcement Investigation: A print or electronic report cannot hinder a law enforcement investigation.(3) Awaiting Trial Inmates: If an inmate who is awaiting trial has an attorney-of-record, the Director, Chief of Information and Public Relations or Executive Legal Counsel contacts said attorney and obtains his/her approval to allow his/her client to be interviewed. If the attorney-of-record determines it is not in his/her client's best interest to be interviewed, the media's request for an interview is denied. If a sentenced inmate has pending court charges lodged against him/her, the Director, Chief of Information and Public Relations or Executive Legal Counsel contacts the inmate's attorney-of-record and obtains his/her written approval to allow his/her client to be interviewed. If the attorney-of-record determines it is not in his/her client's best interest to be interviewed, the media's request for an interview is denied.(4) Sentenced Inmates: If a sentenced inmate has no pending court charges, he/she may consent or decline to be interviewed without the approval of his/her attorney-of-record. Any consent to an interview will be signed by the inmate and approved/denied by the Director or Chief of Information and Public Relations, in accordance with the provisions of this policy. (See Media Waiver Form.)(5) Security and Safety: The report will not interfere, compromise, or jeopardize facility security or public safety. The Director can deny a request if it would endanger the health or safety of the interviewer, or would likely cause serious unrest or disturb the good order of the facility.(6) Personnel Limitations: The number involved in the recording of electronic news reports shall normally not exceed two (2) persons, including the reporter or producer (i.e., one reporter and one camera person). (7) Inmate News Conference Prohibited: Inmates are not allowed to participate in news conferences.d. Safety and Security: Questions that place the safety of any inmate, staff, victim or victim's family, or the correctional facility in jeopardy may not be asked or answered.e. Inmates in one or more of the following categories are NOT permitted media interviews: (1) Awaiting trial (except with permission of the attorney-of-record);(2) Sentenced, with pending court charges (except with permission of the attorney-of-record);(3) Juveniles (under age 18, awaiting trial), however, juveniles (under age 18) who are sentenced may be interviewed if they and their attorney agree to the interview;(4) Physically or mentally unable (as determined by RIDOC medical staff);(5) Federal detainees (except per Federal Bureau of Prison rules and regulations);(6) Out-of-State, incarcerated at the ACI pursuant to the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Implementation of the Interstate Corrections Compact, R.I. Gen Laws §§ 13-11-1 through 13-11-3;(7) Inmates in segregation (punitive or administrative);(8) Or as determined by the Director or designee to represent a legitimate security risk.240 R.I. Code R. 240-RICR-20-00-2.13