An AL.com journalist covering the execution of an inmate had to change her clothes after staff from the Alabama Department of Corrections told her that her skirt was too short.
Ivana Hrynkiw Shatara, managing producer for the news website, said Department staff also told her that her open-toed shoes were too revealing.
When Hrynkiw Shatara arrived Thursday at William C. Holman Correctional Facility, in the city of Atmore, was told by staff that her clothing violated the dress code.
The communicator came to space to cover the execution of Joe Nathan James Jr., sentenced to death for killing his ex-girlfriend Faith Hall in 550.
According to her Twitter account, it was not the first time that she used the skirt for executions and other professional appointments without any problem .
“Tonight, a representative from the Department of Alabama Corrections told me publicly that I couldn’t watch the execution because my skirt was too short,” the journalist shared.
“Measuring 5’7″, and 5’10” with my heels on, I am a tall person with long legs”, he described.
“I tried to lower my skirt to my hips to make it longer, but they told me it was still inappropriate”, she added.
Protective rain gear including waterproof pants was lent to him by a photographer, and the managers considered it appropriate.
However, Hrynkiw Shatara had to return to his vehicle to change his shoes.
“I felt embarrassed I was sorry that my body and clothes were questioned in a room in front of people she had never met”, complained the reporter.
“ I sat down, tried to stop blushing and did my job . As women usually have to do,” she stated.
Kelly Ann Scott, editor-in-chief of Alabama Media Group, the company that owns AL.com, described the employee’s treatment as unacceptable and unequal.
“I am proud to work with Ivana, who despite the treatment, continued to professionally report the story to our audiences in Alabama,” Scott said.
“This was sexist and a blatant violation of professional conduct. And it shouldn’t happen to any other reporter,” she said. AL.com filed complaints with the Alabama Department of Corrections; the governor of the state, Kay Ivey; and Attorney General Steve Marshal.
It should be noted that the execution by lethal injection was delayed for about three hours due to problems establishing the sentenced person’s intravenous line.
The situation was described by the Death Penalty Information Center as very unusual and very problematic.