Appeals Court Rules Federal Inmate Photos Private

DENVER (AP) -- A federal appeals court has ruled that mug shots of federal prisoners are private, rejecting an appeal from an Oklahoma newspaper that argued people have a right to know how inmates are being treated.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled Tuesday that the Tulsa World is not entitled to booking photos because inmates have a right to privacy and releasing the photos would serve no public purpose.

The newspaper had requested photos of all illegal immigrants and others held on complaints ranging from stolen property and first-offense drug arrests to murders and child sex crimes.

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