Media Guidelines: Stephen West

• News media will be allowed at the following sites for the execution

  • The RMSI parking lot area set aside for news media.
  • The area set aside for the general public.  The area set aside for the general public is located north of the Riverbend parking lot and is accessible via Cockrill Bend Boulevard.  This area is roughly 1/4 mile past the prison on Cockrill Bend Boulevard.  (Note:  Members of the media assigned to the general public area are asked to check in with TDOC communications officer/designee prior to entering these areas.)

The roadways on or adjacent to state property will be kept clear of people and vehicles.  There will be no taping or broadcasts from other TDOC sites in the Cockrill Bend area.

• Media check-in will begin at 2 p.m. CDT on November 30, 2010.  No media will be allowed to enter the RMSI parking lot after 8 p.m. on November 30, 2010.
• All media must present appropriate credentials and a photo ID to be admitted to the designated media area at RMSI.
• Media representatives will be restricted to the designated media area while in the RMSI parking lot.  Individiuals are not to cross any open areas beyond the parking lot.  Media representatives must enter and leave the RMSI parking lot by motor vehicle via the asphalt access road.
• All members of the media are to wear special media identification badges, which will be issued at check-in on site. The badges are to be prominently displayed at all times. The media identification badge must be returned to the communications officer or TDOC Officer at the RMSI entrance point when the individual leaves the RMSI parking lot Note: Due to space limitations, TDOC does not guarantee re-entry.
• All media must leave the premises no later than one hour after the conclusion of the press conference following the execution. No taping or broadcasts from the prison property or media access to RMSI will be allowed for 72 hours thereafter.
• Media may not interview any staff of any department involved in the execution plan prior to or after the execution.
• Twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled execution, only the TDOC Communications Officer and/or designee will answer questions about the execution   TDOC staff and staff from other state agencies on site to assist the TDOC will be instructed only to answer basic questions involving the execution.   No media calls to the prison administration will be answered when the execution plan is activated.   Questions about the execution should be directed to the TDOC Communications Officer or designee during this time period.
• Media are not to interview any witnesses on the premises after the press conference is concluded.
• Violations of these guidelines may result in the revocation of privileges. 

 Note:   These guidelines are subject to modification in response to changing circumstances.