STATE OF CALIFORNIA-YOUTH AND ADULT CORRECTIONAL AGENCY GRAY DAVIS, Covenror DEPARTMENT OF CORR-ECTIONS P.O. Box 942883 Sacramento, CA 94283-0001 June 16, 2003 The Honorable Dede Alpert, Chair Senate Select Cornrnittee on Genetics, Genetic Technologies and Public Policy State Capitol, Roorn 2206 Sacramento, CA 95814 Attention: Lisa Matocq Dear Senator Alpert: Thank you for your invitation to parlicipate in your July 16, 2003, hearing regarding the "Eugenics" program practiced in California in the 1900's and documented in the study by Paul A. Lombardo, PhD, JD. it is indicated that during an unspecified period of years, the Califomia Department of Corrections (CDC), then under the jurisdiction of a Board of Prison Directors, performed seven such sterilizations at Folsom State Prison and the California State Prison, San Quentin, we have no existing records of any such procedures at either institution or in our departmental archives. We certainly have no employees today who might have participated in this program. Although While obviously this wbs a dark chapter in our State's history, the CDC played a minuscule role particularly in comparison to the numbers presented in the statewide study. Thus our participation in I do not believe.our presence would contribute in any way toward your objectives or provide any new knowledge on the program. your hearing would provide no substantial information on that role, and Thank you again for your invitation to testifu. If you would like to discuss this further, or have any questions, please contact Michael B. Neal, Assistant Director, Legislative Liaison, at 445-4737. Sincerely, Director Robert Presley, Agency Secretary, Youth and Adult Correctional Agency Michael B. Neal, Assistant Director, Legislative Liaison Kathy Kinser, Chief Deputy Director, Support Services David Tristan, Chief Deputy Director, Field Operations