While Alcatraz is arguably the most infamous prison in the world, San Quentin isn’t far behind. Some have even described it as a “living hell.” However, this year, the California state government has decided to give this notorious institution a makeover. The state is investing $239 million to renovate the facility, transforming it from a maximum-security prison into a rehabilitation center focused on reform.
To achieve this, they are drawing inspiration from Scandinavian correctional facilities, demolishing outdated structures to make way for new buildings designed to offer a “campus-like feel.” The aim is to move away from punitive measures and implement more humane practices, hoping that these changes will turn San Quentin into a progressive institution capable of truly rehabilitating those incarcerated within its walls.
A Reform
Once renovations are complete, San Quentin will feature three new buildings, currently named A, B, and C. Building A will serve as a technology and media center, where inmates can learn skills such as coding and podcasting. Building B will house a library, staff offices, and additional classrooms. Meanwhile, Building C is designed as a communal space, featuring a café and retail shops.
While the renovation might seem like a hefty use of taxpayer money at first glance, California is hoping it pays off in the long run by reducing the number of inmates who end up back behind bars. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), about half of the inmates released in 2018 ran into legal trouble again within three years, and around 20 percent of them ended up incarcerated once more.
Another major issue is San Quentin’s overcrowding. Right now, the facility houses around 3,400 people, which is well over its intended capacity. In fact, overcrowding has been a long-standing problem at the prison. With this new approach, the hope is not only to prevent inmates from returning, but also to reduce the overall population to around 2,000.
People who heard about San Quentin’s makeover had mixed but curious reactions. “San Quentin is getting the IKEA treatment?” one Redditor joked. Others pointed out that this kind of renovation isn’t exactly new, since the prison has long been part of various reform efforts.
“It’s still a prison,” one user commented, “but it seems like this is just more funding to expand what they’ve already been doing. A lot of the more behaviorally challenging inmates were moved elsewhere so they could focus San Quentin on those with potential for rehabilitation. I think that shift started 10 to 15 years ago.”
