Cal. Code Regs. tit. 15, § 3261.1 – Media Access to Facilities.

(a) Access to a department facility or contract facility for a news media representative, as defined in subsection 3261.5(a)(1), shall require prior approval of either the institution head or the Assistant Secretary of Communications or designee. Access to a department facility for a non-news media representative, as defined in subsection 3261.5(a)(2), shall require prior approval of both the institution head and the Assistant Secretary of Communications or their designees. For each request for access from a news media representative or a non-news media representative, the institution head or the Office of Public and Employee Communications shall provide an initial response back within two (2) working days. In order to deny an access request for a news media or a non-news media representative, the institution head shall secure advance authorization from the Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) or designee.
1. (1) Facilities, on-duty staff, incarcerated persons or records under control of the department shall not be used in conjunction with film making, radio or television programs, or the writing of books, magazine articles or syndicated stories without prior approval of the Secretary of the CDCR or designee.
2. (2) Should any news media or non-news media representative(s) access to a facility constitute an immediate threat to safety and security, or generate serious operational problems, the institution head or designee may impose limitations on or set conditions for such access.
(b) Except as provided by subsection 3261.5(b), news media and non-news media representatives within a facility shall be under the direct supervision of the facility's or regional Public Information Officer or their designee as determined by the institution head.
(c) News media and non-news media representatives shall not enter condemned units, the execution chamber, or any area currently affected by an emergency situation without approval of the Secretary of the CDCR or designee.

Note: Authority cited: Section 5058, Penal Code. Reference: Section 5054, Penal Code; and sections 1798.20, 1798.30 and 1798.40-42, Civil Code.

History

1. Renumbering and amendment of former section 3261 to section 3261.1 filed 12-19-91 as an emergency; operative 12-19-91 (Register 92, No. 4). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL 4-17-92 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

2. Certificate of Compliance as to 12-19-91 order transmitted to OAL 4-17-92 and filed 6-1-92 (Register 92, No. 24).

3. Editorial correction of Reference cite (Register 95, No. 14).

4. Amendment filed 8-29-2008; operative 9-28-2008 (Register 2008, No. 35).

5. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (a)(1) filed 7-1-2024 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2024, No. 27).