San Quentin State Prison, located in Marin County, California, is the oldest prison in the state. Established in 1852, the prison has a storied history and has been the subject of much debate and controversy over the years. San Quentin is a maximum-security facility and is currently home to over 3,000 incarcerated individuals.
One of the most notable features of San Quentin is its death row, which houses over 500 inmates who have been sentenced to death. However, in recent years, there has been a shift in focus towards rehabilitation rather than punishment.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has announced plans to rename the facility the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center and to move the death row inmates to other facilities. This move is part of a larger effort to reform the criminal justice system and reduce the number of individuals incarcerated in the state.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 3,084 |
| Physical Address | Main Street, San Quentin, CA 94964 |
| Mailing Address | San Quentin State Prison, San Quentin, CA 94974 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (415) 454-1460 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
San Quentin State Prison is the oldest prison in California, and it is located in Marin County. It was established in 1852, and it has a long and complicated history.
Early History
The origins of San Quentin State Prison date back to the California Gold Rush, a period that roughly spanned from 1848 to 1852. The influx of fortune seekers to the San Francisco area also brought an increase in crime. The prison was built in response to this increase in crime, and it was designed to hold prisoners who were serving long sentences.
The first incarcerated person at San Quentin State Prison was Charles Currier, who was received on January 25, 1851, aboard Sacramento’s La Grange. He was transferred to the newly acquired Waban in December 1851. After California became a state in the wake of the Gold Rush, capital punishment was adopted in 1851.
Recent History
In more recent years, San Quentin State Prison has been the subject of controversy and criticism. In 2006, a federal judge declared that the prison’s medical care was so poor that it amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a moratorium on the death penalty, which effectively halted all executions at San Quentin State Prison.
One of the most notable figures associated with San Quentin State Prison is Ron Broomfield. Broomfield was an inmate at the prison who became an advocate for prison reform. He founded the San Quentin News, a newspaper written and produced by inmates, and he worked to improve conditions at the prison. Broomfield passed away in 2018, but his legacy lives on at San Quentin State Prison.
Overall, San Quentin State Prison has a long and complex history that reflects the changing attitudes and policies toward crime and punishment in California. While it has faced many challenges over the years, it remains an important part of the state’s criminal justice system.
Facilities
San Quentin State Prison is a maximum-security correctional facility for male inmates located in San Quentin, near San Francisco, California. The prison has several facilities that serve different purposes.
Cell Blocks
San Quentin State Prison has several cell blocks that house inmates. The cell blocks are divided by security level, with the highest-security inmates housed in the Adjustment Center and Death Row. The other cell blocks house inmates with lower security levels.
Death Row
San Quentin State Prison is the only facility in California that conducts executions. The prison houses more than 500 inmates serving death sentences, who are held in the East Block.
East Block
The East Block is a maximum-security facility that houses inmates with a history of violence or escape attempts. Inmates in the East Block are kept in their cells for most of the day and are allowed limited access to the prison yard.
Adjustment Center
The Adjustment Center is a maximum-security facility that houses inmates who have been deemed a threat to the safety and security of the prison. Inmates in the Adjustment Center are kept in their cells for 23 hours a day and are allowed one hour of exercise in a small yard.
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
In March 2023, Governor Newsom announced the future transformation of San Quentin State Prison into San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. The new facility will focus on rehabilitation and will provide integrated substance use disorder treatment, outpatient and inpatient psychiatric care, and other programs to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
Inmate mail is subject to inspection and censorship, and inmates are not allowed to receive packages from outside the prison. San Quentin State Prison also has a gas chamber that is used for executions, although the use of the gas chamber has been suspended since 2006.
Overall, San Quentin State Prison provides a range of facilities to house and manage male inmates, including maximum-security facilities, death row, and a gas chamber. With the upcoming transformation into a rehabilitation center, the prison will also provide a range of programs and services to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon release.
Education and Rehabilitation Programs
San Quentin State Prison offers a variety of education and rehabilitation programs to its inmates. These programs are designed to provide skills and knowledge that can help inmates transition back into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. The following sub-sections highlight some of the programs available at San Quentin State Prison.
Academic Programs
San Quentin Prison offers a range of academic programs, including Adult Basic Education, High School/GED, and Distance Education for Associate and Bachelor Degree Programs. The Prison University Project is a notable program that provides higher education opportunities to inmates. The program offers courses in various subjects, including English, Math, and Social Sciences.
Vocational Training
Inmates at San Quentin State Prison can participate in vocational training programs such as Furniture Manufacturing, Mattress Manufacturing, Code 7370, CTE Construction Labor, Health Facility Maintenance, Machine Shop, Plumbing, and Computer Literacy. These programs provide inmates with job skills that can increase their chances of finding employment after their release.
Transitions Pre-Release
The Transitions Pre-Release program is designed to help inmates prepare for their release. The program provides job readiness training, assistance with job placement, and financial planning guidance.
Victim Awareness
The Victim Awareness program is designed to help inmates understand the impact of their actions on their victims and society. The program encourages inmates to take responsibility for their actions and make amends.
Arts in Corrections
The Arts in Corrections program provides inmates with opportunities to participate in various art forms, including visual arts, music, and theater. The program is designed to help inmates develop their creativity and express themselves in positive ways.
Youth Offender Program
The Youth Offender Program is designed for inmates who were under the age of 23 at the time of their offense. The program provides education and job training opportunities, as well as counseling and other support services.
Anger Management
The Anger Management program is designed to help inmates learn how to manage their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Parenting and Creative Conflict Resolution Classes
The Parenting and Creative Conflict Resolution Classes are designed to help inmates develop positive parenting skills and learn how to resolve conflicts in healthy ways.
Health Awareness
The Health Awareness program provides inmates with information and resources to help them maintain their physical and mental health. The program offers classes on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
Environmental Conscientiousness
The Environmental Conscientiousness program is designed to help inmates learn about environmental issues and develop sustainable living practices. The program offers classes on topics such as recycling, composting, and energy conservation.
San Quentin State Prison offers a range of education and rehabilitation programs that can help inmates develop skills and knowledge that can increase their chances of success after their release. These programs can also help reduce the likelihood of reoffending, making them an essential part of the prison’s efforts to promote public safety.
Visitation
Visitation Information
Visiting staff will begin processing at 12:00 p.m. on Fridays & 7:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
There are three visiting areas: Mainline, East Block, and H-Unit.
Mainline and East Block visitors, after processing, must walk to the visiting rooms by following the yellow line on the sidewalk (ADA accommodations are available to those with a documented need for special transportation).
H-Unit visitors must wait for the shuttle service for transportation to H-Unit.
For updates check.
Visitation Hours
Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Main A (North Block, West Block, Alpine, Badger, and Donner): 12:00 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m.
- Main B Contact (North Segregation and Infirmary): 12:30 – 3:00 p.m., 1:00 – 3:30 p.m., 3:15 – 5:45 p.m., 3:45 – 6:15 p.m.
- Main B Non-Contact (Carson and Adjustment Center): 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- Main C (East Block): 12:30 – 3:00 p.m., 12:45 – 3:15 p.m., 1:00 – 3:30 p.m., 3:15 – 5:45 p.m., 3:30 – 6:00 p.m., 3:45 – 6:15 p.m.
- H-Unit (Dorms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and the Firehouse): 12:00 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Main A (North Block, West Block, Alpine, Badger, and Donner): 7:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m.
- Main B Contact (North Segregation and Infirmary): 8:00 – 10:30 a.m., 8:30 – 11:00 a.m., 10:45 – 1:15 p.m., 11:15 – 1:45 p.m.
- Main B Non-Contact (Carson and Adjustment Center): 8:00 – 9:00 a.m., 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., 11:00 – 12:00 p.m., 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
- Main C (East Block): 8:00 – 10:30 a.m., 8:15 – 10:45 a.m., 8:30 – 11:00 a.m., 10:45 – 1:15 p.m., 11:00 – 1:30 p.m.,11:15 – 1:45 p.m.
- H-Unit (Dorms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and the Firehouse): 7:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m.