The Los Angeles Times has reported on California’s new spending plan — and allocation in the budget of the $380 million Gov. Gavin Newsom asked for to transform San Quentin into a model of rehabilitation.
“The deal Newsom struck with lawmakers will kick start his sweeping plan to revitalize San Quentin State Prison into a rehabilitation-centered facility and formally start the process of renaming it the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center,” wrote Taryn Luna in the Times.
Lawmakers initially balked at the governor’s request and the independent Legislative Analyst’s Office criticized the plan for its lack of details. But the final budget provides funds for the reconstruction of portions of the old prison, approximately the $380 million Newsom originally requested.
The transformed facility will emphasize rehabilitative activities focused on job training and programming to equip returning citizens for reentry to their communities and to reduce recidivism.
Reconstruction of San Quentin is the latest step in Newsom’s ongoing reimagining of the state’s criminal justice system, which started with his 2019 executive order to halt temporarily executions and close the prison’s Death Row, reported the Times.
