Governor Gavin Newsom's vision for a new “California Model” of forward-thinking carceral spaces will transform San Quentin, one of the oldest prisons in America, into a campus with extensive newly-designed space for education and reform.
Through a fast-moving collaboration with multidisciplinary consultants, thought leaders, staff, and prison residents, the IDEO-led team explored how spaces throughout San Quentin, from cells to family visitation areas, could be redesigned as the foundation of a safe and transformative reimagination of one of America's oldest carceral environments.
Housing was central to the recommendations, as existing conditions are subpar. Current cells hold two people in crowded conditions. The work looked at the potential to convert cell blocks like East Block, which has reached the end of its lifespan, to new, more radical uses or code-compliant, single-occupancy spaces, using modular construction strategies to allow for phased replacement without displacing essential programs.
The vision extended beyond housing. Outdoor concrete yards and courtyards were reconceived as planted yards. Family visitation rooms were redesigned to feel closer to family living spaces, supporting accountability and connection. Communal kitchens and grocery-style canteens would introduce everyday responsibilities and choices. Classrooms, counseling areas, and workshops were distributed throughout the campus to reduce bottlenecks and expand access to education and training.
By reframing San Quentin's spaces, these recommendations aim to shift the culture of incarceration. Aligning environments with rehabilitation creates a model for California that can be scaled to other facilities, pointing to a system safety, and reentry are central to correctional practice.
Read the report here.
Project Info
Year: 2024
Location: San Quentin State Prison, Marin County, California
Archetype: Prison
Client Governor Gavin Newsom's Office, State of California, San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council
CollaboratorIDEO (see full list of collaborators listed in report)