Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 33-104.203 - News Media Access to Inmates Under Sentence of Death

(1) Regularly scheduled news media interviews with inmates under sentence of death will be permitted each week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and will be contingent upon the consent of the inmate. If a state holiday falls on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, the warden may set interviews on another day during the week at his discretion. The warden may authorize additional visits if staff are available and the need exists.

(2) The Secretary may temporarily suspend news media interviews with inmates under sentence of death if an extraordinary situation has developed in the prison which creates a substantial risk or danger to persons, property, or security.

(3) During the calendar week of a scheduled execution, all regularly scheduled news media interviews with offenders sentenced to death are cancelled.

(4)

(a) During the calendar week of the execution, the offender sentenced to death will be allowed to have one (1) group interview with a total of thirty media representatives and one (1) individual interview with a news media representative selected by the offender sentenced to death, provided the inmate requests said interviews in writing no later than one (1) week after an execution date is set.

(b) The group and individual interviews shall be conducted within forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled time of execution at a place and time designated by the warden of Florida State Prison and shall not exceed one (1) hour each in duration.

(c) Within a reasonable period of time prior to the scheduled group interview, the Secretary or a person designated by the Secretary will notify the office of the Director of the Florida Radio Network, the office of the Florida Bureau Chief of the Associated Press Wire Service, the Florida Association of Broadcasters, and the Florida Press Association of the date, time and place of the group interview. A total of thirty media representatives will be permitted to attend the group interview. The Florida Radio Network and the Associated Press will each be entitled to two representatives at the group interview. The Florida Association of Broadcasters and the Florida Press Association will each be permitted to designate thirteen representatives and designated alternates. Such representatives may include photographers, cameramen and sound operators, and they may bring and use a reasonable amount of appropriate equipment and paraphernalia.

(d) Representatives selected for the individual interview, including print media, radio and television representatives, may use the following: a tape recorder, camera, and sound equipment. Representatives may designate the following to assist during the interview: a bona fide still photographer, a technical assistant, a camera operator, and sound operator.

(5) In the event of a stay of execution after interviews have taken place, additional group media and one-on-one interviews will not be permitted if the execution is rescheduled within two weeks of the original execution date. An additional group media and one-on-one interview will be permitted if a new execution date is later than two weeks from the stayed date.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 33-104.203

Rulemaking Authority 944.09 FS. Law Implemented 922.11, 944.23 FS.

New 3-10-80, Formerly 33-15.03, 33-15.003, Amended 3-22-05, 8-4-08.

New 3-10-80, Formerly 33-15.03, 33-15.003, Amended 3-22-05, 8-4-08.