Sec. 12.12.23.03. Media Relations

A. Cooperation with Media Representatives.

(1) The Director shall encourage and develop mutual cooperation with media representatives, and permit the greatest possible access to public information within the limitations of applicable statutes and within operational limitations.

(2) An employee of the Institution shall refer all media inquiries to the Director.

(3) The Director shall determine whether media inquiries will be forwarded to the Public Information Office of the Office of the Secretary.

(4) Institution employees who provide information to media representatives shall ensure that the information is:

(a) The best available;

(b) Truthful, objective, and accurate; and

(c) Limited to the information authorized for release under Access to Public Records, State Government Article, §10-611 et seq., and §C of this regulation.

B. Visits by a Media Representative.

(1) A representative of the media may visit the Institution and an inmate confined in the Institution for the purpose of conducting a recorded interview only with prior approval of the Director.

(2) The Director shall ensure that the Public Information Office of the Office of the Secretary is notified of a media visit.

(3) A media representative shall be required to produce evidence of media employment or authorization which shall be subject to verification before admission to the Institution.

(4) A representative of the media shall conduct an interview with an inmate within a normal visiting area unless otherwise approved by the Director, consistent with security needs and routine activities of the Institution.

(5) An inmate has the right to refuse to be interviewed and a right to refuse to be photographed.

(6) An inmate may have his or her photograph taken, be filmed, or otherwise be interviewed only if he or she agrees in writing and has the prior approval of the Director.

(7) The Director shall ensure that a signed authorization indicating inmate approval is placed in the inmate's base file.

C. Release of Information on Inmates.

(1) Information regarding inmates confined in the Institution or subject to its jurisdiction may not be released except pursuant to statutory authorization under either Correctional Services Article, §4-209, or State Government Article, §§10-611-10-628, Annotated Code of Maryland, or other appropriate statutes. Release of information regarding the identity of inmates confined to the Institution is limited to the following:

(a) Name of the inmate;

(b) Criminal offense for which incarcerated;

(c) Length of sentence;

(d) Jurisdiction where convicted;

(e) Institution status, that is, either confined for evaluation or committed as an eligible person;

(f) Date received, and date of escape if an escapee; and

(g) If the inmate is an active escapee, a physical description may be released as well as a photograph if available.

(2) In any situation when there is a question as to the legality of the release of information, the Director shall consult Department counsel for advice before releasing the information.