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Freedom of Information: Covering Prisons
Covering Prisons: Ohio
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Web site.

State Policies Governing Media Access
View the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction media policy.

First, write to the warden of the institution indicating which inmate you would like to interview, and state the nature of the story. If eligible for an interview, the inmate will be contacted to obtain his or her consent. The director has the discretion to grant or deny any interview request.

Interviews may be no longer than one hour, and a department representative must be present.

The policy specifically prohibited "infotainment" publications and broadcasts. They are defined as media organizations that do not represent bona fide news programs commonly associated with local or network news formats which primarily report the events of the day. Magazine, tabloid or talk show or other "infotainment" formats may be distinguished from news formats by the focus on sensational topics and/or entertainment.

Rules Governing Reporting Tools
Interviews may be recorded by video, audio, notes or other methods with prior approval of the managing officer and the person to be interviewed. Any photography or videography in which individual are identifiable requires a consent form of those being videotaped or photographed.

Live broadcasts are prohibited.

Visitation List Rules
According to the public information office, in order to be placed on a personal visitation list, the person must have had a prior relationship with the inmate prior to incarceration. Otherwise, the reporter must contact the Warden's Administrative Assistant to request an interview with an inmate. However, there are means for reporters interviewing inmates within the media policy.

Execution Witness Policies
Media witnesses to executions are addressed in the state’s media policy.

A print pool reporter is selected by the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association. A television pool reporter is selected by the Director through a lottery composed of the four major news network affiliated (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) from the nearest large metropolitan area to the inmate’s county of residence. The radio station with the largest news staff from the nearest large metropolitan area to the inmate’s county of commitment will be selected as the radio pool reporter. Other media witnesses are: a reporter from the newspaper with the largest daily circulation in the inmate’s county of commitment; a reporter from the newspaper with the largest circulation in the nearest large metropolitan area to the county of commitment; and an Associated Press reporter selected by the AP in Columbus.

No electronic or mechanical recording devices are allowed in the viewing room.

Required Forms
Inmates must sign a consent form for interviews, photography, video and tape recording.

Media representatives must sign a release form.

Pool media representatives must sign a pool participant form.

Execution witnesses must sign an agreement to serve as a media witness at an execution.

Forms are available by viewing the state’s media policy.

State Correctional Contacts
Check the department’s contacts page at its Web site for the most up-to-date information.

Reginald A. Wilkinson, Director
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
1050 Freeway Drive North
Columbus, OH 43229
614-752-1164

Joe Andrews, Public Information Officer
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
1050 Freeway Drive North
Columbus, OH 43229
614-752-1150

Eileen Corson, Assistant Press Secretary
Governor's Office
614-644-0957

SPJ Project Sunshine Chair Contact Information
The Society's Project Sunshine chairs in each state monitor FOI activities and report to the national SPJ FOI Committee. These individuals are a valuable resource for state FOI Information as they organize and monitor state and local FOI efforts.

Contact SPJ’s Project Sunshine Chair in Ohio.