Governor Newsom visits San Quentin as California’s public safety strategy delivers historic low crime rates and record-low recidivism 

At California State Prison Corcoran staff have helped transform a formerly deactivated facility into an Honor Dorm, a voluntary community for approximately 100 incarcerated people selected based on classification, behavior and readiness. The initiative emphasizes accountability, education, vocational training, rehabilitative programming and preparation for employment.

California has expanded higher-education access throughout its correctional system: all 30 state institutions offer community college distance or correspondence courses, and bachelor’s degree programs are available at 12 institutions. At San Quentin, 34 students have begun a Cal State LA bachelor’s degree program in Liberal Studies. The 21-month program, launched in August, operates through the prison’s new Learning Center.

So far, incarcerated students have earned 9,966 associate degrees, 451 bachelor’s degrees and 48 master’s degrees. Associate and bachelor’s degree programs are offered free of charge. Research cited by the Public Policy Institute of California found that people who participated in college programs were 31% more likely to have jobs after release.

Prevention, victim services and stronger communities

California’s public safety strategy extends beyond law enforcement to address violence before it occurs and ensure victims and survivors receive support.

Since 2019, the state has directed $546.8 million toward public safety efforts, including the California Violence Intervention and Prevention (CalVIP) grant program and victim services.

Community-based violence prevention can deliver measurable results. Research on Richmond’s Peacemaker Fellowship found the program was associated with a 61% reduction in fatal and nonfatal firearm assaults from 2010 to 2024.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services helps victims and survivors access services, receive notifications, exercise their rights and participate in the justice process. The state has also announced six $50,000 rewards – $300,000 total—for information leading to arrests and convictions in four unsolved California murders.

Pathways to rehabilitation, care and good-paying jobs

Legislation signed by the Governor, including AB 113, supports targeted strategies for rehabilitation, workforce training, supportive housing and trauma-informed care.

Key efforts include:

• $4 million for trauma-informed care in women’s prisons. The funding supports two outside contracts to provide care and train staff in best practices for working with people affected by trauma.

• $2.15 million for rehabilitation and opportunity. This includes $850,000 in Amador County for firefighter housing and training, including support for families visiting loved ones at Pine Grove or Growlersberg fire camps, and $1.3 million for vocational training workspace with recording, television and film production capabilities and tools for creating social media content.

• $760,000 for housing and support services for formerly incarcerated people training for entertainment-industry union careers. The staffed Los Angeles facility will provide wraparound services and training designed to lead to union jobs through the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

These strategies complement California’s broader $2.1 billion public safety effort and its ongoing work to reduce crime, strengthen communities and support successful reentry.

Accountability, rehabilitation and hope

California’s approach recognizes that accountability and rehabilitation are complementary parts of public safety. Through prison and parole reforms, the state has expanded opportunities for people to demonstrate growth, prepare for reentry and earn consideration for release through established public-safety processes.

The Governor’s clemency actions reflect on that principle. Pardons can recognize rehabilitation and help remove barriers to employment and civic participation. Commutations can make a person eligible for an earlier parole hearing; they do not guarantee release. The parole process independently evaluates public safety and considers input from victims and survivors and district attorneys.

California’s strategy puts victims first—supporting their rights, safety, participation and access to services while also pursuing accountability for harm and delivering rehabilitative programming to those who need it.

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