SAN QUENTIN, CA - AUGUST 15: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officers patrol San Quentin State Prison's death row adjustment center on August 15, 2016 in San Quentin, California. San Quentin State Prison opened in 1852 and is California's oldest penitentiary. The facility houses the state's only death row for men and currently has 700 condemned inmates. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
San Quentin, California – California officials are moving forward with an ambitious $239 million plan to transform San Quentin State Prison into a Scandinavian-style rehabilitation center aimed at preparing incarcerated individuals for life after prison.
The massive overhaul, set for completion in January 2026, is inspired by Nordic prison systems that emphasize rehabilitation over punishment. The redesigned facility will include a farmer’s market, a podcast production studio, and a self-service grocery store. The first group of incarcerated individuals is expected to begin using the revamped facilities within months of completion.
The transformation of San Quentin, long known as California’s most notorious prison, began under Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration. Shortly after taking office in 2018, Newsom placed a moratorium on executions, dismantled Death Row, and initiated the gradual transfer of its prisoners to other state facilities. In 2023, he announced plans to convert San Quentin into a progressive rehabilitation center modeled after Scandinavian incarceration systems.
To guide the redesign, the state hired Danish architecture firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen, known for its expertise in creating humane prison environments. The revamped facility will offer “normalizing” spaces such as a café, food trucks operated by incarcerated individuals, and a grocery store.
The initiative, referred to as the “California Model,” seeks to break cycles of crime by focusing on education, work, and community reintegration. The prison’s population will be reduced from 3,400 to 2,400 inmates, with those remaining housed in private rooms rather than bunk beds.
While supporters argue that the initiative will improve outcomes for incarcerated individuals and reduce recidivism, critics have voiced concerns about the cost and impact of the changes. Some victims’ advocates argue that funds should be directed toward supporting crime victims rather than transforming prison facilities.
Family members of San Quentin inmates have also expressed concerns about the potential transfer of their loved ones to distant facilities, which could make visitation difficult.
Despite the criticism, officials insist the initiative is backed by data-driven practices that have proven successful in other countries. “The holistic initiative leverages international, data-backed best practices to improve the well-being of those who live and work at state prisons,” said Todd Javernick, spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
As part of the transition, San Quentin’s security level has been reduced from maximum to medium, meaning it will house inmates who pose a lower security risk. Officials also argue that shutting down Death Row will save taxpayers money, as housing inmates on Death Row costs double the average $60,000 annual expense per prisoner.
Construction on new facilities is already underway, including three new buildings featuring podcast and television production studios, coding classrooms, and a multi-purpose gathering space.
State officials hope that San Quentin’s transformation will serve as a model for prisons nationwide, demonstrating how rehabilitation-focused incarceration can create safer communities and improve reentry outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals.
