Notorious California prison home to Death Row being reimagined as restorative justice hub

"We are literally tearing down walls to reimagine our prison system, incentivize true rehabilitation, and end cycles of violence and crime."Photo byGovernor's Press Office

Governor Gavin Newsom’s ambitious project to transform San Quentin State Prison, California’s oldest and once most notorious prison, into a leading rehabilitation facility has reached a significant milestone. The historic effort, aimed at improving public safety through education and rehabilitation, will soon see the start of construction on a new educational and vocational center.

“California is transforming San Quentin – our state’s most notorious prison – into the nation’s most innovative rehabilitation facility focused on building a brighter and safer future," said Governor Newsom. "We are literally tearing down walls to reimagine our prison system, incentivize true rehabilitation, and end cycles of violence and crime."

First announced in May 2023, the project is turning San Quentin from a maximum-security prison into the “San Quentin Rehabilitation Center,” a unique facility focused on public safety through rehabilitation and education. This initiative, unprecedented in scale in the United States, is designed to serve as a nationwide model for advancing a more effective justice system.

The demolition of the prison’s previous furniture factory, Building 38, has been completed, paving the way for the new center’s construction this fall. This week, work also began to demolish an interior wall, known as the South Wall, to increase access to the new facility. Removing this internal barrier, which has divided portions of the prison since 1856, will help create a campus-like environment, facilitating the rehabilitative mission while maintaining the facility’s security.

Jeff Macomber, Secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, emphasized the project's significance, stating, "We are not just rebuilding walls but constructing pathways to restoration and rehabilitation for those in our care."

The transformation is part of a broader initiative known as the California Model, which has been piloted at multiple state prisons, including San Quentin. This model aims to improve public safety by breaking cycles of crime through rehabilitation, education, and restorative justice, while also enhancing workplace conditions for staff.

Governor Newsom’s announcement adds to his broader efforts to reform the justice system and strengthen public safety in California. Since taking office, he has placed a moratorium on the death penalty, ended the use of private for-profit prisons, advanced reforms to end juvenile imprisonment, and announced record-level funding to bolster public safety, among other initiatives.