41-7004. Inspection; rights and services; information; access

A. The office shall have access, in person and with or without prior notice, to all facilities, including all areas that are used by or are otherwise accessible to inmates, department staff and contractors, to programs for inmates at reasonable times, including access during normal working hours and visiting hours, and to any inmate, department employee, contractor or other person to conduct interviews for the purpose of either of the following:

1. Providing information about individual rights and the services available from the office, including the name, address and telephone number of the office facilities or staff.

2. Conducting official inspections.

B. The office may access, inspect and copy all relevant information, records or documents that are in the possession or control of the department and that the director considers necessary in an investigation of a complaint filed or to complete any reporting requirements pursuant to this chapter. The department shall assist the office in obtaining the necessary releases for any documents that are specifically restricted or privileged.

C. Following notification from the office with a written demand for access to department records, the designated department staff shall provide the office with access to the requested documentation not later than twenty business days after the office's written request for the records.  If the requested records pertain to an inmate death, threats of bodily harm, including sexual or physical assaults, or the denial of necessary medical treatment, the department shall provide the records within five days, unless the office consents to an extension of that time frame.

D. The office shall work with the department to minimize disruption to the operations of the department due to office activities and shall comply with the department's reasonable security clearance processes, if these processes do not impede the activities allowed by this section.