California Construction News staff writer
Construction is scheduled to begin this fall on the San Quentin transformation project, following demolition of Building 38, San Quentin’s former furniture factory.
Also, work has commenced to remove the South Wall, an internal barrier that has separated parts of the facility since 1856. This removal will integrate the new educational center with the existing institution, enhancing accessibility and promoting a more cohesive environment, all while maintaining the facility’s security.
“The establishment of this new rehabilitative center marks a pivotal step toward fostering genuine transformation in our correctional system,” said California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary Jeff Macomber. “We are not just rebuilding walls but constructing pathways to restoration and rehabilitation for those in our care.”
First unveiled in May 2023, the project will transform the aging facility into a new educational and vocational center aimed at enhancing public safety through rehabilitation and education.
The transformation into the “San Quentin Rehabilitation Center” marks a historic shift from its legacy as a maximum-security prison and the previous home to the largest death row in the United States. It’s being called a pioneering model for reimagining the correctional system, with the goal of building safer communities through innovative rehabilitation methods.
“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. We are literally tearing down walls to reimagine our prison system, incentivize true rehabilitation, and end cycles of violence and crime,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Brick by brick, we’re building a new future that will make all of us safer.”
Valley State Prison was the first to pilot the California Model, which has now been extended to seven other facilities, including San Quentin. The model focuses on breaking cycles of crime and enhancing workplace conditions for staff while providing rehabilitative and educational opportunities for the incarcerated.
