Posted on 08/01/2022 7:25:55 AM PDT by Red Badger
A journalist was barred from covering the execution of a convicted killer because officials claimed that her skirt was too short.
Ivana Hrynkiw Shatara – the managing producer of news video and social media for AL.com – attempted to cover the state execution of Joe Nathan James Jr. at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore on July 28. James Jr. was sentenced to death for the 1994 murder of his 26-year-old ex-girlfriend -Faith Hall.
Alabama Department of Corrections Public Information Officer Kelly Betts told Shatara that she could not cover the execution because her outfit was “inappropriate” and “too revealing.”
“I have worn this skirt to prior executions without incident, to work, to professional events and more, and I believe it is more than appropriate,” Shatara wrote on Twitter. “At 5’7″, and 5?10? with my heels on, I am a tall and long-legged person.”
“I tried to pull my skirt to my hips to make the skirt longer, but was told it was still not appropriate,” she added.
A photographer from a Birmingham TV station provided Shatara with “Columbia PFG style fisherman’s wader pants” to wear so she could cover the execution.
“I put on the man’s pants and attached the suspenders underneath my shirt to stay up,” Shatara explained. “Then, I was told my shoes (open toe heels) were also too revealing and I needed to change shoes.”
Shatara then went to her car to change into a pair of tennis shoes.
“This was an uncomfortable situation, and I felt embarrassed to have my body and my clothes questioned in front of a room of people I mostly had never met,” the reporter noted. “I sat down, tried to stop blushing, and did my work. As women often have to do.”
Kelly Ann Scott – the editor-in-chief and vice president of content for Alabama Media Group, which owns AL.com – declared that the treatment of Shatara was “unacceptable” and “unequal.”
“I’m proud to work with Ivana, who despite this treatment, continued to report the story with professionalism to our audiences in Alabama,” Scott said, according to PennLive. “This was sexist and an egregious breach of professional conduct. And it should not happen to any other reporter again.”
On Friday, AL.com sent a formal complaint to the Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
Betts personally apologized to Shatara for the incident, but added that the dress code was being enforced.
“The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) has an administrative regulation regarding visitation to any ADOC facility,” Bets said in a statement. “Within this regulation, there is a dress code for all visitors, including reporters covering executions. All administrative regulations are posted on the ADOC website.”
“The wardens of each ADOC facility enforce this dress code based on each event and current safety conditions,” Betts continued. “It will be the policy of ADOC in the future to remind all members of the media about this dress code before any media event taking place at an ADOC facility.”
“We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this regulation may have caused,” the statement read. “We hope by including it in future media advisories, we can avoid this kind of situation.”
The Alabama Department of Corrections’ dress code for visitors states that they must “be dressed in business or business casual attire.” “All dresses, skirts, and pants shall extend below the knee (females only),” and “splits/slits must be knee length or lower (females only).”
Regarding shoes, the only regulation is that “slippers, shower shoes, and beach shoes” are prohibited.
There is no specific dress code policy for members of the media.
There was a second female journalist who was subjected to the same clothing inspection in front of the media center room prior to the execution. The Associated Press reporter passed the dress code.
The Associated Press sent a letter to the Alabama governor demanding that an investigation be launched and “ensure such behavior is not tolerated and does not occur again.”
“Singling out female reporters for arbitrary clothing inspections is humiliating, discriminatory and simply unacceptable behavior toward professional journalists trying to cover one of the most serious events they are called upon to witness,” said AP executive editor Julie Pace.
WXIA-TV journalist Kaitlyn Ross said, “I have also been denied entry in to a government facility to report on a court case because my professional clothing was deemed ‘too revealing.’ It’s exhausting to be a woman. You did a great job under ridiculous circumstances. I’m sorry this happened.”
There was a three-hour delay in the execution because of issues establishing an intravenous line for James Jr., according to prison officials. The inmate was pronounced dead at 9:27 p.m., WTVY reported.
Having never attended an execution, I would assume it should be a solemn event. She came dressed like she’s looking to be picked up. She’s worn it before? I don’t care. Sounds like someone finally called her on her BS.
Would it be okay to dress that way in court? Not where I live it wouldn’t. You’re not allowed to wear shorts either.
Right.
Even if it wasn’t THAT bad per above reply, it’s still a bit sillyfor the occasion.
Too bad we can’t have people likewise banned from funerals for silly clothing.
I thought it was creepy when she said that she had worn the same skirt to other executions.
“I have also been denied entry in to a government facility to report on a court case because my professional clothing was deemed ‘too revealing”
If she’s referring to a federal government facility she should know when you access one normal laws don’t apply. Your at the mercy of the regulations of that installation.
Silly chick made the whole story about herself. The victim gets name and age, that’s it. But we get several paragraphs about the airhead and her experience the day justice was served.
Well...she does need to be properly punished. I can volunteer to do that as I am free the rest of the day.
Yes, this could well be a case of “Look at meeee,” which is not uncommon among the Selfie Generation.
Apparently this woman was not raised right. You don’t go to a somber occasion dressed like you’re going to party or out on a date. If I were going to an execution I’d have the decency to wear something modest and I wouldn’t need a dress code to explain that to me.
most prison are placed on lockdown during an execution, no embarrassing interruptions wanted.
Need more evidence to judge guilt or innocence
it is just a state sanctioned late term abortion.
There’s a dress code for visitors who visit convicts. It should be enforced for any occasion a civilian enters a prison, execution or otherwise.
No short skirts. We want the condemned focused on his misery and not have the pleasurable distraction of dying with an erection on his way to hell.
👍🏻
You don't do for one, what you can't or won't do for all. In other words, you don't make exceptions to the rules for anyone. I was told that the first week I went to work as a Correction Officer back in 1980, in NY State's prison system.
There are some churches that should be as strict. Her shoes were wrong? They were making excuses.
I have the same thought.
This is a sad and somber day. The condemned man has people who love him. The victim families, similarly.
It’s basically a funeral.
Dressing provocatively is uncalled for.
It’s not about her. Flashy blondes who post all over social media like this women don’t get that.
Because most of them are needy individuals who have no self-image, and no value system in their lives. Nor can they find a man on the outside. The one thing these "women" don't realize, is that they will be used by the convict inside, to send him money, packages, and perhaps even secrete drugs on them when they make a visit. More than likely, that convict has several other women doing the same thing. It wasn't uncommon, on a weekend, to have a wife, and a girlfriend come to visit the same inmate, on the same day.
Flashback of me and the Dean Of Women when I was in Seminary in the ‘60s. LOL!
Ridiculous double standard. Real lawyers wear conservative suits, women lawyers wear bright red dresses. Women can’t compete on a level playing field. Perfume, makeup, flirty gestures... pathetic clowns.
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