California Gov. Gavin Newsom was able to wrest budget dollars from skeptical lawmakers for his plan to reform San Quentin State Prison — but the spending plan does not commit to closing more facilities, as some Democrats wanted.
Newsom will get about $380 million to turn a portion of the Marin County prison into a rehabilitation center in the style of Scandinavian correctional facilities, which emphasize services and support over a punitive model. The governor has been touting this proposal since he unveiled it during his State of the State tour in March.
Newsom wants to tear down one of the prison’s buildings and turn it into an educational and and vocational space by 2025. The largest chunk of funding — $360.6 million — will be in the form of bond money, and $20 million will come from the general fund.
