John D. Rousseau v. Department of Correction - MCI Norfolk (SPR 20181098)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records August 6,2018 SPRl8/1098 Tiana Bennett Inmate A.D.A. Coordinator Department of Correction - MCI Norfolk 2 Clark Street Norfolk, MA 02056 Dear Ms. Bennett: I have received the petition of John Rousseau appealing the nonresponse of the Department of Correction (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, 5 10A; see & 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Mr. Rousseau requested records regarding a reasonable accommodation. Having received no response, Mr. Rousseau petitioned this office. The Public Records Law The Public Records Law strongly favors disclosure by creating a presumption that all governmental records are public records. G. L. c. 66, 5 10A(d); 950 C.M.R. 32.03(4). "Public records" is broadly defined to include all documentary materials or data, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any officer or employee of any town of the Commonwealth, unless falling within a statutory exemption. G. L. c. 4, tj 7(26). It is the burden of the records custodian to demonstrate the application of an exemption in order to withhold a requested record. G. L. c. 66, 5 10(b)(iv); 950 C.M.R. 32.06(3); see also Dist. Attorney for the Norfolk Dist. v. Flatley, 41 9 Mass. 507, 5 1 1 (1 995) (custodian has the burden of establishing the applicability of an exemption). To meet the specificity requirement a custodian must not only cite an exemption, but must also state why the exemption applies to the withheld or redacted portion of the responsive record. If there are any fees associated with a response a written, good faith estimate must be provided. G. L. c. 66, 5 lO(b)(viii); see also 950 C.M.R. 32.07(2). Once fees are paid, a records custodian must provide the responsive records. - One Ashburton Place, Room 1719 , Boston, Massac.hu setts 02 108 (6 17) 727-2832. Fax: (61 7) 727-59 14 sec.state.ma.us/pre pre@sec.state.ma.us

Tiana Bennett Page 2 August 6,201 8 Order Despite receiving an acknowledgement of the opening of this appeal and communication from a member of the Public Records Division staff, no response has been provided. Accordingly, the Department is hereby ordered to provide Mr. Rousseau with a response to the request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@- ,sec.state.ma.us. Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: John Rousseau