SB 254: Correctional facilities: media access.

Existing law grants certain rights to inmates in state prisons. Existing regulation allows media representatives access to state prisons with prior approval, and allows unscheduled interviews with inmates.

This bill would, beginning January 1, 2027, require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to permit representatives of the news media to tour a facility or interview incarcerated persons in person, as specified. The bill would prohibit retaliation against an incarcerated person for participating in a visit by, or communicating with, a representative of the news media.

The bill would require all Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities to allow state officials, as specified, to visit those facilities at any time and meet with incarcerated people upon request, beginning January 1, 2027.