California Governor Wilson Vetoes Inmate Interviews

PRISONS November-December 1997

California Governor Pete Wilson (R) vetoed legislation on October 13 that would overturn his administration's restrictions on inmate media interviews. He said, "The First Amendment does not guarantee the press a constitutional right of special access to information not available to the general public, nor does it cloak the inmate with special rights of freedom of speech." California Senator Quentin Kopp (I-South San Francisco) sponsored SB 434 that would have allowed for one-on-one interviews and confidential written correspondence between prisoners and reporters (Associated Press, "Governor kills bill to broaden media contact with prisoners," San Jose Mercury News, October 14, 1997).

Office of Governor Pete Wilson - State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814, Tel: (916) 445-0503.