Newsom Unveils $239M Scandinavian Redesign of Notorious Prison — Looks Nicer Than Most CA Schools – RedState
When I think of prison, I usually think of “punishment.” You do something wrong, you are thrown behind bars; if you did something Really wrong, you stay there, but otherwise, I hope you learn something about consequences and realize that you might want to change your behavior.
What doesn’t come to mind are podcast studios, calming Scandinavian-designed recording spaces, cafes or shops. However, this equipment is part of the new “San Quentin Learning Center” that California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled on Friday.
It seems more comfortable than most public high schools. I have two in my neck of the woods, and they both look like prisons.
At least these jailbirds can create podcasts or work on their music:
California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing blowback after unveiling a new $239 million rehabilitation center at the notorious San Quentin Prison, complete with a cafe and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay.
Newsom attended the opening of San Quentin’s new learning center, aiming to “prove that rehabilitation and public safety go hand in hand,” he said Friday during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Watch:
.@GavinNewsom cuts the ribbon to open the San Quentin Learning Center.
They built the 81,000 square foot training center in 18 months. The goal? Rehabilitate prisoners more effectively.
It includes additional classroom space, television studios, podcast studios and much more.
Video of… pic.twitter.com/AKBQ9o3fDZ
– Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) February 21, 2026
It includes additional classroom space, television studios, podcast studios and much more.
Video from @CAgovernor’s office.
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In a statement posted on the governor’s official website, Newsom said it was a “historic step” and would serve as “the main pillar of the state’s efforts to transform the notorious former prison into a place built on education, rehabilitation and earned second chances.”
The new 81,000 square foot Learning Center nearly triples the classroom and programming space available at SQRC and establishes a campus-like environment dedicated to education, workforce training, media and reentry preparation.
Maybe these prisoners will learn something, because students in the CA education system certainly don’t.
This looks like a quality training center to me
-Peachy Keenan (@KeenanPeachy) February 21, 2026
Unsurprisingly, the new “center” was not well received by everyone:
“A prison is supposed to be a prison,” Republican Sen. Tony Strickland said at Center Square. “From what I understand, he is investing money in grocery stores to “normalize the environment.” His words, not mine. A prison should be a prison. People go to prison because they committed a crime. When you commit a crime, you must pay the consequences of that act.
Strickland added that the governor should fund the implementation of Prop 36, the voter-approved anti-crime bill in 2024, instead of spending hundreds of millions on an education center for convicts.
While the goal of rehabilitating prisoners is arguably noble – especially if they are to be released into the community – it seems an odd priority when the state is widely seen as soft on crime, coddling criminals, and indifferent to victims of crime. Meanwhile, the homelessness epidemic continues unabated, the state has been in a constant budget crisis for years, we have high-speed rail going nowhere, and Palisades fire victims are still struggling to rebuild the region.
“San Quentin” once had a notorious sound: it was certainly not a place where one would want to end up. Now it looks pretty nice.
I’m not sure spending $239 million on a comfortable prison would have been my priority in this state right now.
Editor’s note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.
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