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Montana Guards' Disciplinary Sanctions and Names Held Disclosable
Several guards at the Montana State Prison were disciplined for their behavior during a riot in which several prisoners in protective custody were killed. Numerous newspapers' requests for a copy of the report outlining the guards' discipline was granted, but the names were withheld. The Papers sued the state Department of Corrections (DOC) in state court seeking an order compelling the DOC to release the guards' names.
The Court found that the public's right to know about the discipline of guards whose conduct caused prisoners to die outweighed any privacy rights the guards may have. Thus, the Court ordered the DOC to disclose the names of the disciplined guards. See: Associated Press v. Dept. of Corrections, 1992 Mont. Dist. LEXIS 410 (1992).
The Court found that the public's right to know about the discipline of guards whose conduct caused prisoners to die outweighed any privacy rights the guards may have. Thus, the Court ordered the DOC to disclose the names of the disciplined guards. See: Associated Press v. Dept. of Corrections, 1992 Mont. Dist. LEXIS 410 (1992).
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Related legal case
Associated Press v. Dept. of Corrections
| Year | 1992 |
|---|---|
| Cite | 1992 Mont. Dist. LEXIS 410 (1992) |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Injunction Status | N/A |