Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

NEWS RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR SCHEDULED EXECUTION OF MICHAEL BEUKE

Not For Broadcast or Publication
April 13, 2010

Media Instruction and Information Sheet

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) Bureau of Communications will be accepting credentials/identification information from media outlets that are planning to cover the execution of inmate Michael Beuke, #A176-128 (Hamilton County).  This information must be faxed or emailed to the DRC Bureau of Communications no later than noon on Thursday, April 20, 2010.   The fax number is (614) 752-1171. The execution is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, Ohio.

The Media Center is a secure area that is being provided inside the prison.  There are two forms of identification that need to be submitted to be granted access to the Media Center, including one photo ID and a letter on affiliate letterhead from the news organization you represent. This letter should include your home address, as well as your work and home telephone numbers.  A list will be generated from the information received and you will be cleared only after completing this process.  You must have the same credentials with you at the site.  The Media Center is a secure area that is being provided inside the prison.  Non-credentialed media will be permitted to cover the event from the prison parking lot.

Per DRC's media policy, a radio pool reporter will be selected by DRC to witness the execution and the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association will select a print reporter. The Director of DRC will select a television pool reporter through a lottery system comprised of the four major news affiliates.

A media briefing will be held at 4:30 p.m. the day prior to the execution in the front entry to the prison.  The Media Center will open at 7:00 a.m. the day of the execution. Media witnesses and pool reporters must report to the prison no later than 7:30 a.m. on the morning of the execution.  There will be a briefing at 7:45 a.m. the day of the execution. No media will gain access to the media center after 8:30 a.m.  No persons will be permitted to enter or leave the center after 8:30 a.m. until the process is complete. A mult-box will be provided in the Media Center.  Each media outlet should bring proper equipment. DRC will supply media witnesses to the execution with paper, pens and pencils. The Media Center will close one hour after the conclusion of the execution.  At that time, all remaining media will be escorted out of the prison by the public information team.

There will be no access to other areas of the prison.  Movement will be limited to and from the Media Center. For security purposes, photographs and taped video may not be taken outside of the Media Center.  Television and radio crews will be able to bring their equipment into the center.  Live remote shots must be done outside due to security at the institution.

Immediately following the execution, the official spokeswoman from DRC will make a formal announcement regarding the time of death.  Following that statement the pool reporters and media witnesses will hold a briefing. No one will be permitted to leave the center until the briefings have been concluded. A written transcript of the inmate’s final statement will be provided at the conclusion of the briefing.   Further interviews with DRC staff will be limited to the department spokesperson.

This information is subject to change.  For further information please contact the DRC Bureau of Communication at (614) 752-1150.