Media and Public Relations

Idaho
Department of
Correction

Policy

Title:
Media and Public Relations

Page:
1 of 4

Control Number:
110
Version:
2.0
Adopted:
12/01/1993

Christine Starr, Deputy Director, approved this document on 01/31/2024.
Open to the public: Yes No

Revision Summary
Revision date (01/31/2024) version 2.0: Reformatted and updated language
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 1
A. Statutory Authority ............................................................................................................. 1
B. Board of Correction IDAPA Rule ........................................................................................ 2
C. Policy Statement ............................................................................................................... 2
D. Scope ................................................................................................................................ 2
E. Responsibility .................................................................................................................... 2
F. Policy ................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Media Requests for Information ................................................................................. 2
2. Requests for Interviews with Residents ...................................................................... 3
3. Requests for Interviews with Staff .............................................................................. 3
4. News Releases .......................................................................................................... 4
5. Public Speaking ......................................................................................................... 4
G. References ........................................................................................................................ 4

A. STATUTORY AUTHORITY
1. Idaho Code § 19-2705, Death Sentence or Death Warrant and Confinement Thereunder –
Access to Condemned Person
Control Number:
110
Version:
2.0
Title:
Media and Public Relations

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Idaho Department of Correction

2. Idaho Code Title 74, Chapter 1, Public Records Act
B. BOARD OF CORRECTION IDAPA RULE
IDAPA 06.01.01.110, Media and Public Relations
C. POLICY STATEMENT
It is the policy of the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) that the department will maintain
open and responsive communication with the public and the media. It is the intent of the
department to keep the public well informed of its activities and maintain a consistently high
community rapport through public presentations and special programs.
D. SCOPE
This policy applies to all procedures created under the authority of this policy and to all IDOC
correctional facilities (to include community reentry centers (CRCs) and privately managed
facilities) and probation and parole districts.
E. RESPONSIBILITY
1. Public information officer (PIO)
a. A PIO is designated by the director or deputy director.
b. A PIO has the responsibility to deliver department information to the public .
F. POLICY
1. Media Requests for Information
a. All media inquiries must be directed to a PIO.
b. Upon receipt of an inquiry, a PIO will draft a response and send it to the director, deputy
director, or their designee for approval.
c. If other media pose the same question or pose a commonly asked question, a PIO may
respond without seeking approval.
d. Media requests for department records shall be made via IDOC’s public records request
portal, located on the department’s Information Center website. Requests may also be
submitted in writing via U.S. Postal Service mail, as allowed for by Idaho Code § 74-
102(4) of the Idaho Public Records Act.
e. Critical need information in an emergent situation may be provided by work unit
managers.
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Title:
Media and Public Relations

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Idaho Department of Correction

f. Managers providing information in an emergent situation will limit their communication
to the subject at hand and promptly report the interaction to the PIO. In turn, the PIO
will promptly inform the director and other appropriate IDOC administrators.
2. Requests for Interviews with Residents
a. Requests by media representatives for interviews with residents will be referred to a
PIO.
b. The PIO will inform the media representative that they can contact the resident by
sending them a letter via the U.S. Postal Service. The letter should include the media
representative’s contact information and the best time for the resident to reach them via
a collect phone call.
c. Alternatively, the PIO may offer to expedite the media representative’s request by
having them send it to the PIO via email. The media representative should include their
email address, phone number, and the best time for the resident to reach them via a
collect call. The PIO will forward the email to the warden of the facility where the
resident is incarcerated. The warden will print the media representative’s email and
have it delivered it to the resident.
d. No face-to-face interviews will be permitted with individuals under IDOC jurisdiction.
e. The director or deputy director may grant an exception to the prohibition on face-to-face
interviews on a case-by-case basis.
f. If the director or deputy director is asked to make an exception to the prohibition on
face-to-face interviews, a PIO will determine if the resident has a registered victim
identified in the offender management system and inform the director or deputy director.
g. If the director or deputy director waives the rule prohibiting face-to-face interviews, and
if the resident has a registered victim, IDOC’s victim-services coordinator will contact
the victim and inform them of the upcoming interview.
h. No exceptions to policy may be granted to residents sentenced to death. Access to
residents under sentence of death is governed by Idaho Code § 19-2705, Death
Sentence or Death Warrant and Confinement Thereunder – Access to Condemned
Person.
i. Face-to-face interviews with residents conducted by media representatives who are
producing content facilitated by the department are not subject to the provisions in this
policy, except for residents who have registered victim in the offender management
system.
3. Requests for Interviews with Staff
Requests for interviews with staff will be referred to a PIO.

Control Number:
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Title:
Media and Public Relations

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Idaho Department of Correction

4. News Releases
News releases issued on behalf of IDOC must be sent by a PIO.
5. Public Speaking
a. Department employees are encouraged to accept public speaking engagements.
b. Prior approval of the engagement must be obtained from the employee's division chief
to ensure there is no conflict with official duties or responsibilities.
c. Prior approval of a topic outline must be obtained from the employee's division chief.
d. Remuneration for speaking engagements may not be accepted when the engagements
take place during the employee's working hours, are under state travel orders, involve
any state funds, or involve the use of a state vehicle.
G. REFERENCES
None
– End of Document –