Australian Capital Territory
Corrections Management (Media and Public Relations) Policy 2010
Notifiable instrument NI2010-397
made under the  
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14(1) (Corrections policies and operating procedures) 

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Corrections Management (Media and Public Relations) Policy 2010.
2	Commencement
This instrument commences on the day after it is notified.
3	Policy
I make the

Media and public relations policy

attached to this instrument, to facilitate the effective and efficient management of correctional services.

4	Revocation
	This instrument revokes notifiable instrument NI2009-138.

James Ryan
Executive Director 
ACT Corrective Services
      9 July 2010

ACT Corrective Services
All Facilities and Operations

Media and Public Relations Policy

Purpose
Authority
Policy
Principles
Prisoners access to the media
Receiving media enquiries
Forms and templates
Related Policies and Procedures

Purpose
To outline the way media enquiries are managed and to detail considerations in judging when to permit or restrict a prisoner’s access to the media.

Authority
Legislation
Public Sector Management Act 1994, section 9(m) & (n).
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14 and 222.

Policy
Principles
Corrections officers employed by ACTCS are subject to section 9(m) & (n) of the Public Sector Management Act 1994.  This requires that ACT Public Service employees not disclose, without lawful authority, any information acquired by him or her as a consequence of his or her employment. An ACT Public Service employee may not make a comment that he or she is not authorised to make where the comment may be expected, or could be construed to be taken to be an official comment. This is further reflected in the ACTCS Code of Ethical Conduct.

ACTCS is responsible for managing prisoners safely, effectively, and humanely.  
Due to the complexity of this role, the AMC may, attract media and public attention. 

Prisoners access to the media
Media will not be given approval to visit an ACT correctional centre without the approval of the Superintendent and the Minister. Members of the media seeking to visit friends or relatives who are prisoners must make this information available in their application to visit. 

Prisoners may only have contact with the media with the prior approval of the Superintendent. In determining whether to allow or restrict a prisoner’s access to the media the following issues will be considered:
•	the purpose and nature of the media contact;
•	whether the contact is likely to have a negative impact upon the security and good order at a correctional centre, be used to revictimise a victim, or cause community distress; and/or
•	the public interest and the importance of the matter being open to debate.

The Superintendent may restrict or deny access to the media (by mail, telephone, email, or by a visit) if there is a reasonable suspicion that access would:
•	undermine security or good order at the correctional centre; 
•	revictimise a victim and/or their families; or
•	cause community distress.

Receiving media enquiries
All media enquiries or requests received by a corrections officer must:
•	be processed in accordance with the Media Enquiry Procedure; and
•	be promptly notified to the Policy Unit Manger .

Forms and templates
Officer’s Report Form

Related Policies and Procedures
Media Enquiry Procedure
Visits Policy
ACTCS Code of Ethical Conduct (May 2008)