The state of California is taking a decisive step towards dismantling death row at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, which is known as one of the most infamous prisons in the United States. This move comes in light of the suspension of executions and the transfer of inmates on death row to other correctional facilities throughout the state.
Leading the charge is California Governor, Gavin Newsom, who put a stop to executions at San Quentin approximately five years ago.
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In response to a ballot measure passed by voters, the reform includes a provision that requires death row inmates to work and provide restitution to their victims’ families. Governor Newsom has announced that as a result of these changes, San Quentin’s death row will be closed, and more than 600 death row inmates will be relocated to other state prisons.
Albert Jones and other inmates who were previously on death row have now been transferred to maximum-security prisons. This move has resulted in them having cellmates and more privileges, such as not being handcuffed for most of the time.
Jones expressed enthusiasm, stating that the upcoming change would benefit many individuals.
While some relatives of the victims have expressed discontent with the decision, Governor Newsom has pointed out that it was a necessary step in ensuring that inmates compensate their victims and their families in some way. He clarified that the inmates in question will not be released and emphasized that voter support for the idea of victim restitution played a significant role in his decision-making process.
According to Newsom, “People are not being released. They are still being sentenced for life.”
How the reform program works
As part of an overall initiative to restructure the state’s correctional institutions, a significant change is being implemented. The objective is to transform the prison system to make it more effective and efficient.
California is implementing the California Model, an initiative funded by taxpayers and implemented in eight prisons throughout the state. The program is designed to rehabilitate general population prisoners and prepare them for life after release. The program offers a range of classes, including sign language, therapy, and coding, with the goal of reducing recidivism.
Most prisoners in the San Quentin prison yard have committed serious crimes and are serving life sentences. However, they are not confined behind cell doors or handcuffed, unlike in other facilities. This is because California is implementing a rehabilitative culture that aims to help prisoners reform and eventually reintegrate into society.
Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of acknowledging that 95% of inmates in the California system will eventually return to their communities. He questioned whether they will be in better health or more damaged than when they entered the system. The Governor stressed that it would be foolish to simply re-incarcerate them, as it would lead to additional costs associated with imprisonment. Instead, the focus should be on addressing the root cause of trauma and promoting public safety.
According to Newsom, the effectiveness of the program can be determined by evaluating the decrease in recidivism. This measures the frequency at which ex-convicts commit new offenses.
Governor Newsom is determined to reduce California’s recidivism rate, which currently stands just below the national average at 42%. He plans to invest $239 million in transforming San Quentin, taking into account feedback from his advisory committee. Newsom’s approach is inspired by the successful Norwegian model, which has resulted in a significant drop in recidivism rates over the years.
According to Newsom, the goal is to introduce a fresh approach to criminal justice reform. He emphasized that a significant percentage of those who are imprisoned eventually return to their communities.
Success stories
Greg Eskridge, a San Quentin inmate serving a 58-year to life sentence for murder, is a shining example of the positive impact of rehabilitation programs. Eskridge now hosts a radio program, where he reflects on his conviction and his journey towards rehabilitation.
He mentioned that a lot of individuals come from underprivileged backgrounds. Witnessing individuals investing their time, money, and resources in a certain cause can alter a person’s mindset. He believes that once people start to shift their thinking, they can achieve success.
A few months ago, Eskridge made an appearance before the parole board, who had recommended his release. He assured them that he was ready to live a life free of crime.
As a former guard and current prisons chief in the state, Jeff Macomber admits that he was initially doubtful of the California Model. However, he now firmly believes that investing in rehabilitation can effectively reduce costs and prevent recidivism.
“He said that keeping people in prison and having them return is becoming increasingly costly, and he does not want to create more crime victims,” he explained.
According to Macomber, the decrease in violent behavior among prisoners will ultimately result in a reduction of staff assaults and injuries. He cited Norway’s criminal reform laws from the 1990s as an example, which transformed the penal system and sentencing procedures. However, he acknowledged that implementing similar changes will take some time but expressed confidence that positive results will be achieved as long as correctional staff are fully committed.
The main objective of this approach is to enhance the safety of prison guards who, unfortunately, experience high rates of suicide.
Mixed reactions
Some correctional officers are not in agreement with this.
When Lt. Nicholas Hamett was first presented with the idea, he admitted to having some initial skepticism. On the other hand, Officer Josephine Solis saw it as an opportunity to treat inmates with the respect they deserve.
Solis posed a thought-provoking question, “If we give them respect, will they reciprocate?”
At the same time, certain families of the victims are of the opinion that the initiative is gradually eroding the justice that they rightfully deserve.
Sparry raised doubts about the efficacy of rehabilitation programs for individuals who have been convicted of serious offenses.
According to him, no amount of dog training, horse petting, or other therapies would be able to fix the issue. He believes that the problem is beyond the scope of such solutions.
Victims’ families have mixed feelings, and Newsom has acknowledged this fact.
Newsom expressed his deep empathy towards the victims and acknowledged that while not all of them may be in agreement, many of them are.
According to Macomber, the California Model is primarily focused on enhancing public safety, and he notes that other states such as Washington and Oregon have already implemented similar measures. He further predicts that more states will likely adopt this model in the future.
Macomber believes in providing job opportunities, career prospects, mental health treatments, and access to education for individuals. He questions why we wouldn’t want to do everything in our power to ensure these individuals have a 20, 25, or even 30 percent lesser chance of ending up in prison. In his opinion, it’s worth trying to make a difference in their lives.
