NCJ Number
141672
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 54 Issue: 6 Dated: (August 1992) Pages: 200,202- 204
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Many members of the press and corrections public information officers agree that media coverage of corrections is low in quality.
Abstract
An informal survey of media personnel around the country revealed that the most common problems affecting corrections coverage were a lack of time and personnel, a lack of interest by the general public, a lack of cooperation by corrections officials, and a lack of access to inmates. Corrections officials believed that major problems include ignorance by reporters and editors, an unwillingness to eliminate stereotypes based on movies, a lack of thoroughness in investigating stories, a lack of interest in positive reporting, and an unwillingness to assign reporters to corrections full-time. The main conflict between corrections and the media comes because most coverage focuses on news about prison riots, sexual assaults, and escapes rather than on positive programs. Corrections public information officers believe that more positive coverage will occur if correctional personnel have positive attitudes and provide continual media education. Other suggestions are to develop support groups and contacts, meet individually with reporters, offer facility tours, hold seminars for correctional staff, and use the media relations workshops offered by the National Institute of Corrections.