Prison Inmate Seeks Right to File FOIA Request in Virginia

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An  inmate in Virginia’s state prison system is asking the courts to overturn a state law that keeps prisoners from filing Freedom of Information requests. A lawyer for Joseph Giarratano, who came within three days of being executed in 1991, claims the law is based on unfounded prejudice.   The state counters, “The purpose of FOIA is to enable citizens to engage in civic life. Prisoners, by definition, cannot engage in civic life.”   (12/7/07)