BILL NUMBER: SB 1399 VETOED DATE: 09/24/2004 To the Members of the California State Senate: I am returning Senate Bill 1399 without my signature. This bill is premature and would result in significant General Fund costs at a time when I am working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our correctional system. While I know the author shares my commitment, this bill unfortunately will interfere with the efforts that the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency is currently undertaking at this time. I am committed to enacting comprehensive prison reform in California. Under my direction, the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency Secretary, Roderick Hickman, and the Director of Corrections, Jeanne Woodford are hard at work implementing several parole reform programs with the goal towards improving the recidivism rate in California. In addition to parole reform, both Secretary Hickman and Director Woodford are dedicated to making rehabilitation a core part of the mission for the Department o f Corrections. During the coming year, we will continue to focus on how to improve our correctional system so that we can ensure that inmates are better prepared to lead productive lives upon reentry into society, but more importantly, to ensure that we do not create more victims of crime. For these reasons I am unable to sign this measure. Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger