San Quentin, once called a living hell by Johnny Cash, is one of the most notorious prisons in the United States. However, it is now being transformed into a facility focused on rehabilitation, inspired by the calm and supportive design of Nordic-style prisons.
The prison, now called the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, opened in 1854 and is California’s oldest. The renovation is being led by Danish architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen, along with McCarthy Building Companies and local group DLR Group.
The redesign aims to create a more peaceful environment for inmates. One of the main changes includes adding green spaces, making the area feel more like a campus rather than a traditional prison.
Plans include building new educational spaces, such as classrooms, a library, a media center, and a cafe. The prison’s living conditions will also be improved, with upgrades to the cells and new family visiting areas.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said the project represents a shift towards a rehabilitation-focused approach, aiming to reduce violence and crime.
The renovation is currently underway with a budget of $240 million, and the project is expected to be finished by 2026.
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