Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

GMUcovidta t1_j4wvddo wrote

Reply to comment by ludba2002 in State Board denies FOIA request for docs on inmate deaths by ludba2002

Yeah I think their descriptions of the code are meant to be leading

0

ludba2002 OP t1_j4wvw5c wrote

Maybe we should err on the side of being more skeptical of government officials denying requests for information than we are of journalists asking for information about inmate deaths.

17

GMUcovidta t1_j4wwwpw wrote

I think it's totally reasonable to deny information requests that violate the privacy of specific inmates. It's no different than the CDC denying FOIA requests that would expose individuals medical information.

−6

ludba2002 OP t1_j4x08un wrote

That presupposes the families of dead inmates don't want the information revealed. And it ignores the public's need to have information to hold government officials accountable when the jail system has repeatedly failed the most basic duty of keeping inmates alive.

If their job is holding prisoners, and prisoners die on their watch, they don't get the benefit of the doubt. They need scrutiny. And the more information they withhold, the more suspicious we should be.

16

GMUcovidta t1_j4x2azv wrote

You're just so off base. The public isn't entitled to anyones private information for any reason. There's no indication that anything incriminating is in the communications they requested.

Any sort of government review of the situation would let them review that information and other relevant information without violating anyones rights.

If they give away inmates information to anyone that asks, then that's a major issue.

−11

kneel_yung t1_j4yalzo wrote

they can (and are supposed to) redact the relevant information only.

So they should still get the report, just have the PII blacked out.

3