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September 06, 2007

ACLU: Access to public records in R.I. lacking

The state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, in a report released today, reviews a series of incidents in Rhode Island where it claims public records have been withheld by different state agencies.

ACLU Director Steven Brown says the incidents mentioned demonstrate “the need for strong and comprehensive reform.”

There are five incidents detailed in the report, Brown said, including the lack of availability of police and Department of Environmental Management records after a Barrington teenager died while kneeboarding in July.

The report also details what Brown referred to as a "secret settlement" in a lawsuit against the city of Providence; denial of access to an arrest report in Warwick; failure to disclose information from a meeting of the minority business enterprise committee; and an incident where an individual seeking access to public information was required to submit personal identification.

Extra: Read the full report.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 9:54 AM | Permalink

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