FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2005

MEDIA ADVISORY
REQUESTS FOR MEDIA INTERVIEWS WITH GEORGE AND JENNIFER HYATTE

NASHVILLE, Tenn, - In an effort to respond to the anticipated number of media requests directed to the Department of Correction to interview George and Jennifer Hyatte, please be advised that requests for interviews will not be granted.

According to Tennessee Department of Correction Administrative Policy and Procedure #103.04 (Provision of Information and Access to the Media and Public), section VI/subsection C10, media interviews will not be permitted with inmates on administrative segregation.  This custody status will be applicable to George Hyatte upon his return to Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.

Policy 103.04:  VI. C. 10 reads as follows:

News media interviews shall not be permitted for inmates on suicide watch, mental health seclusion, segregation pending investigation, punitive segregation, administrative segregation, or protective custody.

With that same policy, the commissioner has the discretion to deny news media interviews under any circumstance that poses a threat to the safety and security of the institution and/or staff.  This policy directive will be applicable to Jennifer Hyatte as a court-ordered "safe keeper."

Policy 103.04:  VI. B. 5 reads:

Any interview or visit by the news media may be denied, suspended, or terminated during the implementation of a contingency plan or under any other circumstances that pose a threat to the continued safety of persons and/or security of the facility or office.

 
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