SPJ: Allow journalists face-to-face interviews with California prison inmates

SACRAMENTO -- The secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supports more reporters' access to the state's prisons, but isn't ready to let inmates who have committed violent crimes to have face-to-face interviews with journalists.

James Tilton, secretary of the department, said Tuesday at a Senate Select Committee hearing that he wants more sunshine inside Califorinia prisons and supports new policies that will allow more access.

However, a major sticking point is a policy that would make felons convicted of violent crimes or sex offenders off limits to pre-arranged face-to-face interviews. Those convicted of lesser crimes would be allowed to face-to-face interviews. The policy would effectively allow access to only 50 percent of the states 177,000 inmates.

California Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, scheduled the hearing after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a senate bill restoring reporters' access cut off in 1995 by then Gov. Pete Wilson.

SPJ FOI Committee Chair Joel Campbell was invited to testify along with representatives of the California Newspaper Publishers Association, California Broadcasters Association, California ACLU and Correctional Peace Officers Association.

Here is Campbell's testimony:

Joel Campbell

Society of Professional Journalists

Freedom of Information Committee Chairman

Assistant Professor, Brigham Young University Department of Communications

 

I represent the Society of Professional Journalists, the largest and oldest journalism advocacy organization in the United States. As an organization, SPJ has long fought for reporter’s access to government activities and records. In particular, the society has had an ongoing Prison Access Project that helps journalists gain access to correctional facilities and related issues.

 

Need for transparency and accountability

Increasingly, some corrections departments across the nation have placed restrictions on media access. These restrictions run counter to government transparency and accountability. With fewer ways for the public to understand about the performance of correctional operations, there is less accountability. Others have maintained or implemented policies which encourage accountability. I appreciate Sen. Romero's efforts to promote this, particularly through SB1521 most recently.

Need for media to tell the story about California’s prison problems

Taxpayers benefit as the media gains access to tell the stories about expenditures, processes, treatment of inmates, and many other concerns.

As stated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in his veto letter of SB1521:

"I believe California must provide greater access to our prisons through the media, especially now as we address problems with overcrowding, medical care and high recidivism rates."

 “Let the press do its job”

Also we support the June 2006 recommendations of The Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons which said that prisons should increase oversight and accountability. It said:

“Finally, every prison and jail should allow the press to do its job; invite lawmakers, judges, and citizens to visit facilities; and work in other ways to inform the public about life behind bars.”

 Best practices

Based upon research of 50 states' media access provisions by The Society of Professional Journalists, the society supports the following best practices for media access included in Sen. Romero's SB 1521 and included in the proposed regulations.

-- Latitude in use of reporting tools including audio and video recorders.

-- Ability to conduct telephone interviews.

-- Ability to conduct interviews without prior approval of subject matter.

-- Given reasonable notice and clearance by Department of Corrections, access to particular inmates for face-to-face interviews.

-- While recognizing security concerns, not limiting access by security designation or classification of crime.

-- Ability to conduct random interviews during visits or tours.

-- Ability to conduct face-to-face interviews without corrections monitoring.

 Concerns about the proposed policy

 Based upon those best practices, we are concerned about the following provisions in the proposed policies:

 
Exclusion of those involved in violent felonies or sex offenses. We see this as a significant exemption that would impede the ability of the media to provide a check on government activity.  We believe a policy that exempts interviews with some classes of prisoners is out of step with most of the nation’s corrections policies and practices.