Chapter 1 – General Administration

13010.15 Routine Media Interviews

• Media representatives may be permitted random face-to-face interviews with incarcerated people housed in facilities under the jurisdiction of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  Such interviews shall be conducted as stipulated by the institution head, including restricting the time, place, and duration of interviews, and size of technical crews. Random interviews of individuals involved in a specific activity or program, or encountered while covering an institution activity or event, shall be limited to the time, areas, and segments of the facility population designated by the institution head. It is advisable to contact CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services when incarcerated people have been interviewed by news and non-news media representatives for victim notification. No incarcerated person shall be interviewed against their will. 

• Pursuant to state law, incarcerated people may not participate in specific-person face-to-face interviews. CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation employees shall not coordinate or arrange an interview in advance with a specific incarcerated person and a member of the media nor provide media access to a specific incarcerated person. News and non-news media representatives shall be allowed to conduct in-person interviews of incarcerated persons in accordance with the visiting requirements of CCRCalifornia Code of Regulations Title 15 section 3170 through 3176.3. 

• Cameras and Recording Equipment

  • The institution head or designee shall approve the use of cameras or recording equipment in advance. A location agreement and a film permit from the California Film Commission may be required for filming and photographing on state property by 
    non-news media representatives and rehabilitation program providers.

• Security Arrangements

  • Media representatives are to be accommodated, whenever possible, at the institution within business hours using on-duty personnel. In certain situations, CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may incur additional staffing costs. Media representatives or their organizations will be required to pay the reasonable security or escort costs directly associated with their use of the location including benefits and overtime pay. Media will be notified of the approximate staff requirements and costs.

  • The Assistant Secretary, Communications, shall be consulted whenever a fee for supervision or security is contemplated.