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Reporters finding it harder to get inside Canadian prisons
May, 2008
Stark Raven Media Collective
Reporters are finding it harder to get inside Canadian prisons.
This is because the Correctional Service of Canada has been re-emphasizing its strict media access guidelines to prison staff across the country.
Prisons can deny access to the media for a variety of reasons.One reason for denial is if there are concerns that the coverage could re-victimize those who suffered from the prisoner's crimes.
Requests can also be denied if they are deemed "contrary to the objectives of the prisoner's correctional plan."Reporters must outline why they want to interview a prisoner so the request can be reviewed by the prisoner’s case management team.
The policy also requires the prison to consider how a story would affect the safety of people outside its walls.Some reporters, who have spoken with specific prisoners for years, now have to tell a prison media handler each time the reason why they want an interview.
Prisoner advocates are concerned that this is an imposition on prisoner’s right to free speech. There are also concerns about this policy is limiting access and hence increasing the secrecy of what is happening behind the walls.Source Articles:
canoe.ca