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September 7, 2007

Corrections to air proposed changes to media access

CRANSTON -- The state Department of Corrections is holding a hearing Monday evening on proposed updates to its regulations governing media access to its facilities and inmates.

The current regulations have been in place since the 1980s, according to Corrections spokeswoman Tracey Poole, and, she said, the updates will formalize practices that have been used for years.

The Rhode Island affiliate of the ACLU has submitted testimony in advance of the hearing expressing concern about the proposed update.

Among the changes are a deletion of a provision that states any notes or recordings “shall not be subject to review by any officer or employee of this Department,” and new requirements on how interviews are granted and conducted.

The ACLU’s testimony says the new regulations “allow for a regime of censorship over the news and media in their efforts to interview inmates and inform the public.”

Poole, in an e-mail, said the department appreciates the ACLU’s feedback.

“When we work on these policies, sometimes we are too close to them,” she said, calling the suggestions “valid and helpful.”

The hearing, scheduled Monday at 6:15 at 111 Howard Ave. in Cranston, is open to the public.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 3:16 PM | Permalink

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