SAN QUENTIN QUESTIONS: Gov. Gavin Newsom is for the first time using his new podcast to tout one of his pet political projects this week by showcasing a rehabilitation program at San Quentin state prison. While the prior two editions have been light on politics, this latest episode of “Politickin’” wades into public safety with a trip to the facility, now known as the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Eager to promote it, the governor’s Campaign for Democracy PAC blasted out the podcast in emails, urging supporters to listen to a “very real and raw discussion” on Newsom’s work at the prison. But it’s a controversial program to feature — namely because it’s been a divisive spending choice from the start and has been scaled back in recent months. First, some background: Newsom last year announced a $380 million plan to demolish a San Quentin building and construct a center with more space for rehabilitative programming that could be a model for other state prisons. The plan was to be completed on a remarkably tight timeline — originally slated for late 2025. Newsom sought more than $360 million in bond money for construction and $20 million from the general fund for operations. Lawmakers eventually approved the funding, but not without expressing frustration about the lack of information Newsom’s team provided during the budget process. The project’s premise is based on the “California Model” of incarceration, which proposes adopting elements of Scandinavian prisons, like focusing less on punishing inmates and more on helping them re-enter society. “The whole idea of San Quentin has become the model rehabilitation prison in the United States of America,” Newsom said during the podcast. “And then we spread it throughout the rest of the system, so everything that happens behind that wall will determine that — no bullshit.” Here’s the controversy: Critics argue the California Model that Newsom is pushing through the program remains vague. The Legislative Analyst’s Office in May 2023 recommended lawmakers reject the new facility construction, urging Newsom’s office instead to “more fully develop the model” including its objectives and strategy. The LAO also said similar projects would be “extremely costly to scale,” calling into question Newsom’s goal of using the program as a model for others. Advocacy groups have also questioned whether such a major investment was needed at San Quentin at all, since it had already been running similar rehabilitative programs. They argue other facilities lack such opportunities for inmates and are in desperate need of improvements. “The governor’s approach to dealing with the consequences of an insufficient social net for vulnerable communities instead of more urgently addressing the root causes of crime is the same thinking that led us to the moment we are in now,” said James King of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, in a statement to Playbook. The governor’s San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council in January affirmed some of these arguments, recommending Newsom cut the budget for the construction project by one-third and redirect the money toward housing and community areas. The June budget deal Newsom reached with lawmakers reflected this scaled-back version: The $360.6 million in bond authority money had been reduced to $240.6 million. When asked about Newsom’s comments saying San Quentin could be used as a model for others, spokesperson Tara Gallegos said in an email he was “talking about the California Model as a program, and not specific capital improvements.” The most recent timeline from the state corrections office now suggests the project will be completed by early 2026 — Newsom’s last year in office. IT’S TUESDAY AFTERNOON. This is California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check on California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to lholden@politico.com.
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