Kqed, Inc. v. Thomas L. Houchins, Individually and in His Official Capacity as Sheriff of Alameda County , 546 F.2d 284 ( 1976 )

PREGERSON, District Judge:

This is an appeal from the trial court’s issuance of a preliminary injunction restraining appellant, the Sheriff of Alameda County, California, from depriving appellees of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by “excluding as a matter of general policy . . . responsible representatives of the news media from the Alameda County Jail facilities at Santa Rita, including the Greystone portion thereof. . . .¹ To allow “full and accurate coverage” of jail conditions, the preliminary injunction requires that the reporters be given access to Santa Rita “at reasonable times and hours,” and that they be allowed to use photographic and sound equipment and to interview inmates. The specific method of implementing media access was left to the Sheriff’s determination, and the Sheriff was given discretion to exclude the media when jail tensions made such access dangerous. The question presented on appeal is whether the terms of this preliminary injunction, entered after a full evidentiary hearing, constitute an abuse of the trial court’s discretion.

[I] Clearly, the First Amendment grants the news media a constitutionally protected right to gather news. See Branzburg v. Hayes, 408 U.S. 665, 681-707, 92 S.Ct. 2646, 33 L.Ed.2d 626 (1972), Pell v. Procunier, 417 U.S. 817, 833, 94 S.Ct. 2800, 41 L.Ed.2d 495 (1974). This right is indispensable in preserving the news media as a major source of information for the public, particularly when the information sought concerns governmental institutions, including prisons. See Mills v. Alabama, 384 U.S. 214, 219, 86 S.Ct. 1434, 16 L.Ed.2d 484 (1966). The conditions of our nation’s prisons “are a matter that is both newsworthy and of great public importance.” Pell v. Procunier, 417 U.S. at 830, n.7, 94 S.Ct. at 2808.

The parties, however, dispute whether the scope of this news-gathering right encompasses the kind of access to Santa Rita Jail granted the news media by the preliminary injunction. Appellant relies on the Supreme Court’s observation that “newsmen have no constitutional right of access to prisons or their inmates beyond that afforded the general public.”² Pell v. Procunier, supra, 417 U.S. at 834, 94 S.Ct. at 2810. On the basis of this statement, appellant argues that this preliminary injunction is an abuse of discretion because it permits reporters to view Santa Rita Jail and communicate with its inmates in ways denied the public during scheduled monthly tours of the facility.

The above-quoted language from Pell v. Procunier simply states that the news media’s constitutional right of access to prisons or their inmates is co-extensive with the public’s right. Implicit in the trial court’s memorandum granting the preliminary injunctions is the finding that the First Amendment rights of both the public and the news media were infringed by appellant’s restrictive policy. Although the memorandum does not explicitly mention the public’s rights, the trial court applied the proper test to determine whether these rights were infringed: a governmental restriction on First Amendment rights can be upheld only if the restriction furthers an important or substantial governmental interest unrelated to suppressing speech and the restriction is the least drastic means of furthering that governmental interest. See United States v. O’Brien, 391 U.S. 367, 377, 88 S.Ct. 1673, 20 L.Ed.2d 672 (1968). The preliminary injunction, while protecting First Amendment rights, also satisfies the governmental interests in security of the jail and privacy of inmates. The Sheriff can exclude media access when jail security is threatened, make reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, and develop appropriate administrative regulations that require searches of reporters, identification of press representatives, and consent from inmates for interviews and photographs.

Having determined that appellant’s restrictive policy was an infringement of constitutional rights, the court did not err by issuing an injunction that, on its face, grants greater prison access to the news media than the access accorded the public on monthly guided tours of the facility. Pell v. Procunier does not stand for the proposition that the correlative constitutional rights of the public and the news media to visit a prison must be implemented identically. The access needs of the news media and the public differ. Media access, on reasonable notice, may be desirable in the wake of a newsworthy event, while the interest of the public in observing jail conditions may be satisfied by formal, scheduled tours. Moreover, the administrative problems inherent in public and media access differ. A large public tour group creates a greater security threat and requires the use of more jail personnel to supervise the tour, while a single reporter, known to jail officials, should cause minimal, if any, interference to jail routine. Although both groups have an equal constitutional right of access to jails, because of differing needs and administrative problems, common sense mandates that the implementation of those correlative rights not be identical.

In the circumstances of this case, we cannot say that the trial court’s issuance of the preliminary injunction was an abuse of discretion. Its order granting the preliminary injunction is therefore affirmed.

To determine the questions of infringement of the correlative rights of the public and the media and the means by which these rights are to be implemented, the trial court should consider the kind of access accorded the news media and the public in the California state prison system, as discussed in Peli v. Procunier, and the access accorded by the federal prison system as set forth in Policy Statement No. 1220.1B, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A.

APPENDIX A

FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM WASHINGTON, D. C. 20534

POLICY STATEMENT NUMBER 1220.1B

SUBJECT: CONTACTS WITH NEWS MEDIA DATE

7/1/76

1. PURPOSE. To establish, for a trial period of July 1 — December 31, 1976, the policy of the Bureau of Prisons with respect to the news media.

2. POLICY. The Bureau of Prisons recognizes the desirability of establishing a policy that affords the public greater access to news about its operations. The policy is not designed to provide publicity for inmates or special privileges for the news media, but rather to insure a better informed public. The correspondence and interviews, in a prison setting, must be regulated to insure the orderly and safe operation of the institution.

3. DIRECTIVE AFFECTED. Policy Statements 1220.1A and 1220.6/7300.96 are superseded by this Policy Statement.

4. PROCEDURE,

a. Application.

(1) For the purposes of this policy statement representatives of news media shall be defined as the following:

Persons who are primarily employed in the business of gathering or reporting news for (a) a newspaper qualifying as a general circulation newspaper in the community to which it publishes, (b) news magazines having a national circulation being sold by newsstands to the general public and by mail circulation, (c) national or international news services, (d) radio and television news programs of stations holding Federal Communication Commission Licenses.

Persons currently confined as prison inmates may not be employed or used as reporters under this policy statement.

A newspaper is one of “general circulation” if it circulates among the general public and if it publishes news of a general character and of general interest. A key test to determine whether a newspaper qualifies as a

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“general circulation” newspaper is to determine whether the paper qualifies for the purpose of publishing legal notices in the community in which it is located or the area to which it distributes. It is generally held that for a newspaper to be considered in law a newspaper of general circulation, and so be qualified to publish legal notices, it must contain items of general interest to the public such as news of political, religious, commercial, or social affairs.

(2) Interviews by reporters and others not included in 4a(l), may be permitted only by special arrangement and with approval of the Warden.

(3) These regulations apply to all inmates in Federal institutions. When an inmate is confined in any non-Federal facility the local or state facility rules and regulations will govern.

b. Institution Visits.

(1) Representatives of the news and other media are encouraged to visit Bureau institutions for the purpose of preparing reports about institutional facilities, programs and activities. Media representatives shall make advance appointments for visits. During an institutional emergency, and for a reasonable time thereafter, the Warden may suspend all such media visits.

(2) When media representatives visit institutions, photographs of programs and activities may be taken, and media representatives may meet with groups of inmates engaged in authorized programs and activities. Inmates have the right not to be photographed, (still, movie or video), and not to have their voices recorded by the media. Visiting representatives shall be required to obtain permission before photographing or recording the voices of inmates participating in authorized programs and activities and shall be advised that use of names, identifiable photos of inmates, and voice recordings are not encouraged, but if taken or made releases must be signed by the inmates and placed in their respective files.

(3) The Bureau of Prisons has no objection to visits by news media representatives to schools or business establishments which employ offenders in community programs for the purpose of viewing offenders in community programs. It is the responsibility of the media

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7/1/76 representatives to obtain permission of the school or employer in advance. The rules outlined in paragraph (2) above apply to the community situation.

c. Correspondence.

(1) An inmate may write to representatives, specified by name or title, of the news media or other publications. Correspondence to a newsman may be sent through the Prisoners Mail Box, which provides for unopened correspondence. All properly identified and labeled correspondence to qualifying representatives of the news media shall be forwarded directly, promptly, sealed and without inspection. If there is doubt at to whether a representative qualifies, the institution should contact the Bureau’s public information officer in the Central Office.

(2) Representatives of the news media or other publications may initiate correspondence with a particular inmate. Incoming correspondence from the news media or other publications will be inspected for contraband, and for content which is likely to promote illegal activity, or conduct contrary to Bureau regulations. A rejected letter will be returned to the author, with a brief explanation for the rejection. The author will also be notified that he or she may protest the rejection, and the complaint will be referred to an official other than the individual who originally disapproved the correspondence for review.

(3) The inmate may not receive any compensation, nor anything of value, for correspondence or interviews with the news media as defined in paragraph 4a(l).

(4) A transmittal letter, similar to the attached sample, will be attached to the outgoing Prisoners Mail Box letter, and the properly labeled mail will be sent each working day, at government expense.

d. Personal Interviews.

(1) Either an inmate or a representative of the news media may initiate a request for a personal interview at an institution. As a prerequisite to the interview, the inmate must authorize the institution staff to respond to comments made in the interview and to release information to the news media relative to the inmate’s comments.

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(2) If the news media representative wishes to conduct a personal interview at the institution, and makes a written request directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the institution for authorization, it will be permitted subject to the conditions of this policy statement.

(3) Representatives of the news media may request to interview a particular inmate. The request shall be made in writing to the Warden of the institution within a reasonable period of time — normally within 24 to 48 hours — prior to the requested time for the interview.

(4) The inmate will be notified by the institution of the interview request and must agree to be interviewed by signing a consent form (attachment 3) before the request will be considered. The written consent or denial shall, in all cases, be placed in the inmate’s central file.

(5) A request will normally be approved or disapproved within 24 to 48 hours. An interview may be disapproved for any of the following reasons, provided that the Warden documents any such disapproval:

(a) The news media representative, or the news organization which he or she represents, does not agree to the conditions established by this policy or has, in the past, failed to abide by the required conditions.

(b) The inmate is physically or mentally unable to participate. This shall be supported by a medical officer’s statement (a psychologist may be used to verify mental incapacity) to be placed in the inmate’s record, substantiating the reason for disapproval.

(c) The inmate is a juvenile (under 18) and written consent has not been obtained from his parent or guardian. If the juvenile inmate’s parents or guardians are not known or their addresses are unknown, the Warden of the institution shall notify the representative of the news media of the inmate’s statute as a juvenile, and shall then consider the authorization after placing a copy of the inmate’s written consent in his file.

(d) Such interview, in the opinion of the Warden of the institution, would endanger the health or

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safety of the interviewer, or would probably cause serious unrest or disturb the good order of the institution.

(e) The inmate is involved in a pending court action and the court having jurisdiction over the matter has issued a “gag rule.” In the case of unconvicted persons (including competency commitments under 18 U.S.C. 4244 and 4246) held in Federal institutions, interviews should not be authorized until there is clearance with the court having jurisdiction, ordinarily through the U.S. Attorney’s office. In some districts, there may be a standing authorization for interviews, in the absence of individual “gag orders,” but in other districts, all pretrial inmates may need to be cleared upon request for interviews.

(f) The inmate is a “protection” case and revelation of his or her whereabouts would endanger his or her safety-

id) Interviews will be held in the institution visiting room during normal weekday business hours unless the Warden of the institution determines that another location is more suitable. Interviews will be limited to two one-hour interviews per inmate per month. If the Warden determines that interviews are imposing a serious drain on the staff or use of the facilities, interview time for the entire institution may be limited. Such a limit shall be established on an institution-by-institution basis and shall be made a part of the institution’s policy covering this subject. Due to the special security, custodial, and supervisory requirements necessitated by such interviews, an inmate in segregation, restricted, holdover, or hospital status may be limited to a one-hour interview per month.

(7) Interviews will not be subject to auditory monitoring or supervision.

(8) Photographs or audio or video recordings may be taken during interviews in accordance with the conditions outlined in 4b(2). If the Warden of the institution determines that the presence of video, film, or audio equipment or personnel would be likely to create a disruption within the institution, such equipment or personnel may be limited. For example, in the case of inter-

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views conducted in visiting rooms which are frequently crowded, or in visiting rooms of maximum security institutions, the Warden may limit the equipment to hand held cameras or recorders.

(9) If in conjunction with an interview of an individual inmate the news media representative wishes to tour the institution and take photographs or make recordings of other inmates, he or she must comply with the procedures set out in 4b(2)

e. Press Pools.

Whenever the frequency of requests for interviews and visits reaches a volume as is determined by the Warden to warrant limitations, a press pool may be established. In this situation, all news media representatives having requested interviews or visits which have not been conducted shall be notified that selected representatives shall be admitted to the institution to conduct interviews under such guidelines as the Warden establishes. All material generated from such a press pool shall be made available to all news media, without right of first publication or broadcast. The press pool shall be composed of no more than one representative from each of the following groups present. The representatives shall be selected by the members of the respective groups.

(1) The national and international news services;

(2) The television and radio networks and outlets;

(3) The news magazines and newspapers; and,

(4) All media in the local community where the institution is located.

f. Release of Information.

(1) Announcements of unusual incidents shall be made to local news media as promptly as possible by the Warden or by a staff member designated by him. The institution will prepare a statement for release to the media, briefly stating the facts. The text of such messages shall be transmitted to the Bureau as part of the reports required on the incidents to which they relate. If it can reasonably be assumed that the wire services or the Washington press will make inquiry at the Central Office, the text should be communicated to the Central Office by telephone.

(2) Announcements related to Bureau Policy, such as changes in institutional missions, type of inmate popula-

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tion, as well as announcements of changes in executive personnel, will be made by the Central Office. Press inquiries on such subjects shall be referred to the public information officer of the Bureau of Prisons in Washington.

(3) Information-about an inmate that is a matter of public record will be provided by the Warden or his representative to representatives of the news media upon request. Such information shall be limited to the inmate’s name, register number, place of incarceration (provided it is not confidential for protection), age, race, offense for which convicted, court where sentenced, length of sentence, date of sentencing, date of arrival, past movements via transfers or writs, general institutional assignments, parole eligibility date, and date of expiration of sentence. Other contents of inmate files are confidential. Requests for additional information about individual inmates shall be referred to the Central Office. The Warden of each institution, or his designated representative, shall be solely responsible for contacts with the press. Other staff members shall refer all press inquiries to the Warden or his designee.

g. Special Conditions.

(1) Authorization for institution visits or interviews shall be conditioned upon the news media representative certifying that he or she is familiar with the rules and regulations governing his conduct during interviews and visits and that he or she agrees to comply with them. Certification shall be done by use of an affidavit similar to the attached.

(2) The Bureau has a responsibility to protect the rights of all inmates and members of its staff. It is expected, as a condition for authorizing interviews and making facilities available to conduct an interview, that the news media representative will make a reasonable attempt to verify any allegations regarding an inmate, staff member, or institution and will provide an opportunity to respond to any allegation which might be published or broadcast prior to such distribution.

(3) Representatives of the news media will collect information only from the primary source. The Bureau considers it highly improper and a violation of this policy to obtain and use personal information from one inmate about another inmate who refuses to be interviewed.

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(4) While in an institution, representatives of the news media are subject to applicable rules and regulations of the institution. Discussions or comments regarding applicability of any rule, regulation or order should be conducted with the administrator of the institution, or person specifically designated by him.

h. Interpretations.

Any question as to the meaning or application of this policy statement will be resolved by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons.

5. ACTION. Institution Policy Statements relating to correspondence and interviews with the news media shall be amended promptly to be in compliance with this issuance. Any modification of this policy statement must be submitted to the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division, within 30 days from receipt of this policy statement.

/s/ Norman A. Carlson

NORMAN A. CARLSON

Director, Bureau of Prisons

Commissioner, Federal Prison Industries, Inc.

The attached letter was placed in our Prisoners Mail Box for forwarding to you. The letter has been neither opened nor inspected. If the writer raises a problem over which this institution or the Bureau of Prisons has jurisdiction, you may wish to write to mo or to the Director, Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20534.

You may write back to the inmate, and ask him questions. Your letter will be inspected for contraband, and for any content which would incite illegal conduct or conduct which violates institution rules. Also, personal interviews are permissible under certain conditions.

The Bureau of Prisons encourages the press to visit institutions, and learn about correctional programs and activities. If you wish to do this, please contact me.

Inmates may not receive any compensation, nor anything of value, for correspondence or interviews with the news media. If the person writing you names another inmate or a staff member in his correspondence, we request that you advise us of that fact before its publication. We will provide background information and specific comments whenever possible.

If the writer encloses, for forwarding, correspondence addressed to another addressee, please return the enclosure to me, or to the Director.

Non-compliance with the above must result in a withdrawal of such access. All materials sent to or received from an inmate not authorized herein, or by Bureau policy, shall constitute contraband within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. 1791, which provides a sentence of up to 10 years. This includes the introduction into, or taking from, any correctional institution anything whatsoever contrary to any rule or regulation.

WARDEN

1 . Brenneman v. Madigan, 343 F.Supp. 128, 133 (N.D.Cal.1972) described conditions at the Greystone building at the Santa Rita facility as “truly deplorable.” The district judge held that the “shocking and debasing conditions which prevailed there constituted cruel and unusual punishment for man or beast as a matter of law.”

2 . The Supreme Court found that the regulation limiting press access in Pell v. Procunier was “not part of an attempt by the State to conceal the conditions in its prisons or to frustrate the press’ investigation and reporting of those conditions.” 417 U.S. at 830, 94 S.Ct. at 2808. The Court observed: “Indeed, the record demonstrates that, under current corrections policy, both the press and the general public are accorded full opportunities to observe prison conditions.” Id. In contrast, the Santa Rita Jail was completely closed to both the news media and the public prior to the filing of the present suit. After suit was filed, appellant inaugurated a program of monthly public tours of Santa Rita. Appellees presented evidence that these tours were limited to 25 people, booked months in advance, prohibited use of cameras or sound equipment, prohibited conversations with inmates, and omitted views of many parts of the jail, including the notorious Greystone Building.