Rule 125-1-2-.09 - Public InformationThe Department of Corrections is a publicly supported activity. Crime and delinquency are everyone's problems. An ultimate goal of the Department is clearly the protection of the public. The sum of the many facets of Departmental activities constitutes one of the main defenses of society against crime. The public is, therefore, vitally concerned. With the exception of that information which is protected by law or that which, if released, could be considered an invasion of privacy, those seeking information for public enlightenment are entitled to honest, frank and prompt responses to their queries concerning the activities of the Department. In order to improve public understanding and support, as well as assure credibility, dictionary meanings rather than circumscribed or parochial terms shall be applied on a consistent basis.
(a) News Media. Accredited members of the news media may be authorized through the Commissioner of Corrections to visit institutions and centers during normal business hours (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily, except Saturdays, Sundays, and Legal holidays). Such representatives may be permitted to tour whatever parts of the institution they desire consistent with the security of the institution and the safety of those concerned. However, media representatives shall be escorted by institutional personnel at all times during their stay at the institution. Special visits to an institution by news media representatives during non-business hours may be authorized by prior arrangement. Such visits shall meet all other requirements for a normal business hour visit.1. When authorized, such meetings shall be conducted under the conditions specified by the Warden/Superintendent as fulfilling the safety and security requirements of the institution concerned. Offenders shall not be interviewed by news representatives except with the consent of the offender.2. News media representatives may be barred or ejected during times of violent or potentially violent disturbances in order that their safety and the safety of others may be protected and the security of the institution maintained or restored. Wardens/Superintendents shall exercise their judgment as to when restrictive conditions exist. Re-entry of news representatives may be permitted when safety and security reasonably may be assured.(b) Responses to Executive and Legislative inquiries shall be handled on an expeditious basis.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 125-1-2-.09
Ga. Constitution 1983, Art. XI, Sec. 1, O.C.G.A. Secs. 42-2-11, 42-5-53, 42-5-55, 42-10-2.
Rule entitled "Public Information" adopted as R. 415-1-2-.09. F. Nov. 14, 1984; eff. Dec. 4, 1984, renumbered as R. 125-1-2-.09 of same title. F. June 28, 1985; eff. July 20, 1985, as specified by the Agency.Amended: F. Mar. 6, 2003; eff. Mar. 26, 2003.