San Quentin’s newly opened Honor Dorm turns death row cells into single rooms

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center has opened its new honor dorm program, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week. The dorm, located in the prison’s East Block, will house individuals who have demonstrated “exemplary behavior, accountability, and commitment to rehabilitation.”

The dorm is made up of single-occupancy living spaces repurposed from former death row cells, according to a press release Tuesday from Newsom’s office. The East Block contains 500 cells as well as amenities such as a kitchenette, laundry room and dayroom.