As you might expect, prisons are kind of particular about who they let enter. (Or let exit, for that matter.)

So there was not much recourse last year when the Arizona Department of Corrections said I could not attend the parole hearing for Adam Swapp. Swapp is remembered for the bombing of an LDS stake center in Kamas followed by a standoff during which officer Fred House was killed. Swapp has been incarcerated in Arizona so not to create a conflict for Utah law enforcement.

And that means Arizona makes the rules for Swapp, as it does for all its prisoners. I begged, pleaded and complained to attend the parole hearing, but Arizona claimed no reporters — ever — are allowed into its prisons.

So imagine my surprise Tuesday night when I was watching the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer —my favorite nightly newscast — and saw a segment on Arizona prisons. NewsHour camera crews were allowed into the prisons and even spoke with inmates. (I saw no sign of Swapp, who was denied parole and remains in Arizona.)

Maybe the wardens down south saw the light and have made a policy change in the last year. Or maybe, since the NewsHour segment was pretty good P.R. for the prison program in Arizona, the jailers found it in their hearts to make an exception. Below is an e-mail I sent asking what is up. I'll post any response I receive.

In case you're wondering, the Utah Department of Corrections, while not putting a turnstile at the front door of its prisons, allows for journalists and cameras to enter its facilities with some regulations.

-- nc

From: "Nate Carlisle"
Date: July 22, 2008 6:50:36 PM MDT
To: media@azcorrections.gov
Subject: NewHour in prison

Arizona Corrections, I'm watching the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer -- my favorite TV news program. I see it was allowed entry into AZ Corrections facilities. Yet I remember distinctly being denied access last year when a Utah inmate in your custody was up for a parole hearing.

Has there been a policy change? Can you please explain the discrepancy? Thank you.

Sincerely,
Nate Carlisle
Reporter
The Salt Lake Tribune

Labels: secrecy