Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the opening of a new Honor Dorm at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, building on new data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) that shows record-high rehabilitation success and low recidivism rates in California.
New data from the CDCR indicates that 81.5% of individuals who earned Rehabilitation Achievement Credits remained conviction-free three years post-release. Similarly, 76.7% of those who earned Educational Merit Credits and 66.7% of people who participated in general rehabilitative programming also stayed conviction-free three years after release. This success rate measures the share who remain conviction-free, contrasting with recidivism which measures the share who return to crime.
The new Honor Dorm, located in San Quentin's historic East Block, transforms former death row cells into single-occupancy living spaces. These facilities are reserved for incarcerated individuals who demonstrate exemplary behavior, accountability, and commitment to rehabilitation. Governor Newsom said, "The data is clear: investing in rehabilitation means investing in public safety. The Honor Dorm creates a space that rewards growth, responsibility, and readiness for reentry — demonstrating what the California Model can do."
Since its transformation into a rehabilitation center in 2023, San Quentin has become the flagship institution for implementing the California Model, expanding opportunities for education, vocational training, and cognitive-behavioral programming. CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber said, "When accountability and rehabilitation work together, everyone benefits. The Honor Dorm recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to positive change while helping create a safer, more stable environment for the staff who work in our institutions every day."
The state's commitment extends beyond prison walls, with California investing $2.1 billion since 2019 to combat crime and strengthen public safety efforts statewide. This includes $350 million in violence intervention funding, which has helped local communities prevent more than 30,000 violent incidents. These investments come as violent crime in California's largest cities fell 12% in 2025, including an 18% decrease in homicides.
The California Model continues to expand across correctional facilities statewide, emphasizing dynamic security, trauma-informed practices, and positive interactions. Warden Chance Andes said, "The Honor Dorm recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation and provides an environment that encourages continued growth, leadership, and responsibility." These initiatives aim to prepare incarcerated individuals for successful reentry, fostering safer communities and reducing future victimization.