Subdivision 1. Right of press access. Any inmate of a state correctional facility shall be permitted to speak in person or by phone at the inmate's own expense to any representative of the public news media, as defined in subdivision 4, on a daily basis between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. except in emergency situations as defined in subdivision 5; provided that it does not interfere with the inmate's regularly assigned duties. The right to speak in person with a representative of the news media shall not constitute a regular facility visit.
Correctional authorities may limit the exercise of privileges conferred by this section by any individual inmate to one telephone call or interview per week.
Subd. 2. Right of correspondence. Any inmate or group of inmates of a state correctional facility shall be permitted to correspond by mail with any public news media or representatives thereof, as defined in subdivision 4, on a regular basis.
Subd. 3. News media interviews. Subject to the provisions of section 243.55 and the duty of the chief executive officer to take reasonable precautions to prevent the introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, representatives of the public news media shall, upon their own request, be permitted to interview any consenting inmate or representatives of a consenting group of inmates of the state at the times and under the circumstances described in subdivision 1. Any representative of the public news media who is denied access to a correctional facility must be given the reasons therefor in writing, and the representative may appeal such denial to the commissioner of corrections.
Subd. 4. Definition; news media representative. A "representative of the public news media" means a person employed by and authorized to represent any television station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, any radio station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, national wire service, or any newspaper or periodical having a monthly statewide circulation of at least 1,000 copies.
Subd. 5. Definition; emergency. An emergency shall be defined as a situation in which, in the best judgment of the correctional authorities, there is an imminent threat to life, security or property.
1974 c 560 s 1; 1979 c 102 s 13; 1986 c 444
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 241 - 244 — Corrections
Chapter 241 — Corrections; Department; Facilities
Section 241.01 — Creation Of Department.
Section 241.016 — Annual Performance Report Required.
Section 241.018 — Per Diem Calculation.
Section 241.02 — Transfer Of Powers And Duties.
Section 241.021 — Licensing And Supervision Of Facilities.
Section 241.023 — Designation Of State Correctional Facilities.
Section 241.025 — Fugitive Apprehension Unit.
Section 241.026 — Correctional Officers Discipline Procedures.
Section 241.05 — Religious Activities.
Section 241.06 — Record Of Inmates; Commissioner Of Corrections.
Section 241.065 — Conditional Release Data System.
Section 241.067 — Release Of Inmates; Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 241.068 — Homelessness Mitigation Plan; Annual Reporting On Homelessness.
Section 241.07 — Transfer Of Inmates To Other State Institutions.
Section 241.08 — Money Of Inmates Of Correctional Institutions.
Section 241.09 — Unclaimed Money Or Personal Property Of Inmates Of Correctional Facilities.
Section 241.10 — Disposal Of Funds; Correctional Institutions.
Section 241.105 — Social Security Administration Incentive Payments; Inmate Discharge Planning.
Section 241.11 — Protection Against Fire.
Section 241.13 — Contingent Account; Damage Deposits; Correctional Institutions.
Section 241.14 — Physical Examinations For Employment In Correctional Facilities.
Section 241.16 — Cemetery At Correctional Facilities.
Section 241.18 — Abandonment Of Cemetery; Court Order.
Section 241.20 — Inmates To Do Conservation Work.
Section 241.21 — Inmates Available To State Departments.
Section 241.22 — May Expend Money.
Section 241.23 — Chief Executive Officer To Make Selection.
Section 241.241 — Prison Gardening Program.
Section 241.251 — Press And Media Access For Inmates.
Section 241.26 — Private Employment Of Inmates Of State Correctional Institutions In Community.
Section 241.265 — Higher Education; Certain Payments Prohibited.
Section 241.271 — Reimbursement Of Counties And Municipalities; Budget Request.
Section 241.272 — Fee Collection.
Section 241.275 — Productive Day Initiative Programs; Correctional Facilities.
Section 241.278 — Agreements For Work Force Of State Or County Jail Inmates.
Section 241.30 — Powers With Relation To Compact.
Section 241.301 — Fingerprints Of Inmates, Parolees, And Probationers From Other States.
Section 241.31 — Establishment And Operation By Municipality.
Section 241.32 — Establishment And Operation By State.
Section 241.331 — Conditions For Applicability Of Procedures.
Section 241.332 — Information Required To Be Given To Individuals.
Section 241.333 — Disclosure Of Positive Blood-borne Pathogen Test Results.
Section 241.334 — Consent Procedures Generally.
Section 241.335 — Testing Of Available Blood.
Section 241.336 — Blood Sample Collection For Testing.
Section 241.337 — No Care Or Treatment Withheld.
Section 241.338 — Use Of Test Results.
Section 241.339 — Test Information Confidentiality.
Section 241.341 — Protocol For Exposure To Blood-borne Pathogens.
Section 241.40 — Periodic Reviews Of Substance Abuse Assessment Process.
Section 241.415 — Release Plans; Substance Abuse.
Section 241.416 — Substance Abuse Programs; Record Keeping.
Section 241.67 — Sex Offender Treatment; Programs; Standards; Data.
Section 241.69 — Mental Health Unit; Establishment.
Section 241.70 — Programs For Female Offenders.
Section 241.71 — Creation Of Advisory Task Force.
Section 241.72 — Program Funding.
Section 241.73 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 241.75 — Inmate Health Care Decisions.
Section 241.80 — American Indian Cultural Program.
Section 241.85 — Educational Assessments.
Section 241.86 — Mentoring Grant For Children Of Incarcerated Parents.
Section 241.88 — Restraining An Incarcerated Pregnant Woman.
Section 241.89 — Requirements For An Incarcerated Woman.
Section 241.90 — Office Of Ombudsperson; Creation; Qualifications; Function.
Section 241.92 — Organization Of Office Of Ombudsperson.
Section 241.93 — Powers Of Ombudsperson; Investigations; Action On Complaints; Recommendations.