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| Media Prison Access Vetoed |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 10/10/2005 |
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For the second year in a row, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed legislation that would have made it easier for news reporters to arrange interviews with California prison inmates. Schwarzenegger said the bills by Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, and Assemblyman Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta, weren't necessary because the news media have "wide-ranging access to both prisons and inmates." He also suggested that the identical bills could result in inmates being treated as celebrities. The media have criticized current restrictions on interviews, saying they make it tougher to keep tabs on what goes on behind prison walls. Under current rules, the Department of Corrections refuses to arrange one-on-one interviews with prisoners. To question a specific inmate, a reporter must write to the prisoner and ask the inmate to call the reporter collect or put the reporter on a list of approved visitors. Once on that list, a reporter can see the prisoner only during normal visiting hours and can be prevented from taking in writing or recording equipment for the interview. Such requests are often denied. Reporters also are allowed to question inmates they encounter during prison tours. The Romero and Haynes bills would have enabled reporters to set up prearranged interviews with specific prisoners and use pens, pencils, paper, tape recorders and video cameras to record the interviews. Prison wardens still could have canceled interviews if they determined they posed a threat to prison security or public safety. Romero complained that Schwarzenegger vetoed the bills even though there were provisions added to address concerns he raised last year. Former governors Gray Davis and Pete Wilson vetoed similar legislation. |
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