By TRÂN NGUYỄN | Associated Press
California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform a run-down factory at San Quentin State Prison into a state-of-the-art facility resembling a college campus. With a budget of $360 million, Newsom aims to demolish the existing building and replace it with a structure that includes a student union, classrooms, and the possibility of a coffee shop. His goal is to shift the focus of San Quentin from punishment to rehabilitation, preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society. The project is expected to be completed by December 2025, just before Newsom leaves office.
Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of oversight and public input in the decision-making process. The 21-member advisory council, appointed by Newsom to shape the facility’s design and programming, does not have to follow open meetings laws. Additionally, the Legislature traded away seats on the council and formal oversight during budget negotiations. Critics argue that this lack of transparency undermines prison reform efforts.
Despite the criticism, Newsom’s office has promised to release the advisory council’s report to the public before presenting the next budget in January. The council, which includes criminal justice reform advocates, San Quentin officials, and Newsom allies, has already held several meetings and will provide a preliminary report to the administration in September, followed by a final report in December.
San Quentin, once home to the nation’s largest death row, has already implemented innovative programs for inmates, such as accredited college classes and a coding academy. Newsom’s plan aims to further improve the inmate experience and retrain correctional officers. Contractors have been solicited to design the new campus, and construction is set to begin next year, with a waiver of the historic preservation requirement and an environmental impact review to expedite the project.
The total cost of the San Quentin campus, to be funded through a lease revenue bond, is $360 million. An additional $20 million from the general fund has been allocated for other smaller capital projects recommended by the council. Democrats, who hold a supermajority in California, have supported Newsom’s project, as it grants them access to crucial data on prison operational capacities, aiding their decision-making process regarding prison closures.
Republican lawmakers have criticized Newsom for not seeking their input, highlighting the minimal level of communication between the Governor’s office and the Legislature. However, Newsom has emphasized the need for urgency in addressing the state’s prison system, and he has promised both “formal” and “informal” engagement with the Legislature throughout the process.
Despite initial skepticism and concerns about the project’s cost and timeline, lawmakers ultimately approved the budget without the accountability provisions they had initially requested. Assemblymember Phil Ting defended the deal, emphasizing that detailed plans would be required before the lease revenue bond is authorized.
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