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For any inquiries or assistance, please reach out to our Communications Team. We are here to help with any questions or information you may need. You can contact us at doccommunications@idoc.in.gov.
Media Policies
It is the intent of the Department of Correction to comply with all laws regarding the release of information to the public and the news media. Staff of the Department shall maintain a cooperative and responsive attitude in responding to requests for information from all external parties.
In an effort to facilitate positive relations with the news media, designated staff from the Department shall respond to inquiries in an accurate and timely manner. Information shall not be released which involves a criminal investigation, which may breach the security of the Department or the safety of staff and incarcerated individuals, or which is deemed confidential by law.
In order to maintain the security and orderly operation of the facilities, the Department shall establish procedures to be followed by members of the news media when interviews with incarcerated individuals or access to Department facilities are requested. The Department shall attempt to accommodate such requests while taking into consideration the needs of the facilities and the privacy of the incarcerated population.
The Department shall also establish procedures regarding staff interaction with news media and non-news media, as well as use of social media for distribution of Department information.
Use the menu below to navigate directly to the information you are looking for:
- How to Schedule Interviews with Incarcerated Individuals
How to Schedule Interviews with Incarcerated Individuals
Step 1
Read the Department's Distribution of Information Policy.
Step 2
Contact the Chief Communication's Officer or Public Information Officer via letter or email. Include the following information in your request:
- Incarcerated Individual's Name
- List of Initial Questions
- Focus of Story
- Anticipated Air or Publication Date
Step 3
CCO, in coordination with the Warden and Central Office Administration, will determine if the incarcerated individual meets the criteria for interviews.
Interviews are not permitted if the individual is:
- In Protective Custody or Administrative Restrictive Status Housing
- In the Infirmary or receiving Mental Health treatment
- In Disciplinary Restrictive Status Housing
- Being processed in an Intake Unit
- Involved in a pending court action and the court has issued an order forbidding such interviews
Interviews may also not be permitted if doing so would present a threat to the safety and security of the facility or impair normal operations.
Step 4
The incarcerated individual must sign a waiver consenting to the interview or the request will be denied.
If requesting to interview a juvenile, the juvenile's parent or guardian must sign the consent and waiver if the Warden approves the request.
Step 5
Once the interview is approved, the PIO for the facility will reach out to discuss logistics of the news media's visit including date, time, and equipment.
Media representatives will need to supply a full name, date of birth, social security number and driver's license number to be processed for security clearance. Representatives from outside the U.S. will need to submit a full name, date of birth, and passport information.
A signed Media Consent Form is also required.
IMPORTANT!
By signing the Media Release Form, you agree that you have read and understand all the policies and procedures for incarcerated individual interviews. If these are not followed, you may be denied future requests.
- Cell phones are not permitted inside facilities, so if you need to record audio, you will need to bring a small recorder.
- You will have four (4) hours to conduct the interview, this includes time for setup and tear down of equipment.
- All interviews will take place outside of the individual's living area.
- Permission must be granted to take video or photos inside the facility.
- Access to Facility by Non-News Media
Access to Facility by Non-News Media
Non-news media is defined as any media organization that does not have as its principal function the gathering of "news of the day." It is broadly defined, but not necessarily limited to the following: entertainment or "infotainment" tabloid media, cable and network news and magazines, syndicated shows, entertainment cable networks, independent film makers and documentary makers.
Non-news media will follow the same steps as news media to request interviews or filming access.
Non-news media will be asked to pay a daily location fee as determined by the Department if the project will take longer than four (4) hours to complete. The purpose of the fee is to defer costs associated to the disruption of normal operations that require additional staffing.
- Media Interviews
Media Interviews
- Media representatives can interview eligible individuals within the Department's facilities.
- Interviews are limited to four (4) hours and crews are limited to (3) people. Equipment setup and tear down is included within that window of time.
- Photo identification will be required before entering any Indiana prison facility.
- The following dress code must be followed:
- Full-leg pants, no dresses, skirts, yoga/stretch pants or shorts
- Closed-toed shoes only, no sandals or high heels
- Shirts must have sleeves, no tank tops
- No laptops, cell phones, or multi-tools with knife blades will be permitted inside IDOC facilities.
- News media must submit a list of equipment. It is recommended you only bring in what you will need to cover the interview such as: camera, spare batteries, tripod, and microphone.
- Authorized Release of Information
Authorized Release of Information
Certain information regarding incarcerated individuals may be provided in accordance with Policy and Administrative Procedure 01-04-104 including the following:
- Name;
- Age;
- Birth Date (month/year only);
- Physical Description
- Sex;
- Sentencing County;
- Crime;
- Sentence;
- Past Prison Transfers (dates/locations only)
- Outside court actions regarding confinement/release;
- Facility work assignments;
- Nature of injury;
- Prior departmental incarceration;
- Earliest Possible Release Date (EPRD);
- Death (The identity of a deceased individual shall be withheld until next-of-kin has been notified or 36 hours have elapsed since the time of death, which ever occurs first. All cause of death inquiries will be referred to the county coroner.
- Mugshot or identification photos of incarcerated individual. Images of incarcerated individuals other than a mugshot or identification photo may only be released with the written permission of the individual.
Information regarding psychiatric, medical, or juvenile criminal histories of incarcerated individuals shall not be released except in accordance with Policy and Administrative Procedure 01-04-104.
Requests for personnel information shall be referred to the State Personnel Department (SPD).