Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

53100.9 Content

• Publications shall be written, illustrated and produced in accord with the highest journalistic standards. Relevancy, accuracy, objectivity, fairness and balance shall be required in all articles.

• Publications shall not be designed to cover events and issues outside of the institution, except for matters directly related to institution or departmental operations, such as new laws or court decisions affecting inmates. Articles and news stories should be relevant in the context of prison operations.

• Material written by persons not assigned to the staff of the publication is contributed material. Pertinent articles may be accepted from outside contributors. The source of all contributed material shall be included.

• Reprinting of news stories and articles from other publications is discouraged, as this practice does not provide experience or training in news writing. When an occasional reprint may be appropriate, the source must be noted.

• No inflammatory material shall be published which might threaten institution safety or security. Material offensive to a race, gender, nationality, religious faith or similar group is prohibited. Lewd, obscene, pornographic, sexually suggestive, libelous or defamatory material, or use of profane or vulgar terminology is prohibited. Reports and articles shall not attack any individual or serve as a vehicle for individual inmate complaints, or as a substitute for the departmental inmate appeal procedure.

• No advertising material of a commercial nature shall be printed.

• Responsible editorial comments by inmate editors and reporters may be included in institution publications. All such material shall carry the by-line of the author and a short editor’s note indicating that the expressed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of the management and staff of the institution or the department.