A $239 MILLION STATE-OF-THE-ART LEARNING CENTER was empty over the weekend at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center as part of a statewide change in operations due to “staffing shortages” at prisons with open positions that currently cannot be filled due to state budget constraints.
“The institution is on a modified program,” a correctional officer announced over the intercom in the north block housing unit at San Quentin early Saturday morning. “There is no yard, canteen, religious services or learning center.”
The sound of metal keys locking the iron bar cell doors could be heard after a slow controlled breakfast program. For the remainder of the weekend, most incarcerated individuals were kept in their cells without yard exercise or rehabilitation access.
On Monday, an email was sent to all community-based organizations that access the prison from the SQRC community resources manager that read: “Effective June 13 through June 30 programs will be disrupted at certain facilities Friday through Monday.”
In February, Gov. Gavin Newsom visited San Quentin to cut the ribbon for the new learning center, which is supposed to be the centerpiece of a new “California model” reform effort. However, since the education facility opened, the campus has sat largely empty with deserted hallways and classrooms.
Programming opportunities for incarcerated individuals at various California prisons is being curtailed amid budget pressures within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. A hiring freeze on new employees has been restricted or slowed in parts of the prison system as CDCR officials work to absorb staff displaced by facility closures.
Prison population down, expenses up
CDCR prisons hold approximately 90,000 incarcerated individuals, which is down significantly from almost 174,000 in 2006. CDCR has a workforce of 58,000 employees and almost half are corrections officers. Although the population is lower, expenses have increased.
CDCR’s portion of the May revision of the budget is about $1 billion more than the 2025-26 enacted budget, with $14.6 billion coming from general funds. CDCR has also released a new 20-year infrastructure master plan identifying about $73 billion in repair and replacement needs to reimagine the state’s current prison system.
But the Legislative Analyst’s Office and lawmakers are proactively seeking another prison closure as a way to tackle fiscal challenges and save an additional $150 million each year. The LAO warned that California still faces deficits of about $10 billion a year through 2029-2030.
Advocates like the Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) suggest that Newsom should close another prison, consistent with a recent recommendation from lawmakers, before the end of his term to save money for other state priorities.
“The Legislature is showing real foresight by recommending another prison closure,” said Dax Proctor, a statewide coordinator for CURB. “California cannot afford to keep pouring money into 15,000 empty prison beds while families are being told there is not enough money for housing, healthcare, food, and basic support.”
According to a 2024 LAO report, taxpayers are paying millions for 15,000 empty prison beds and that number will rise to 19,000 by 2028.
To offset some of its expenditures, CDCR isn’t trying to close more prisons. But it canceled night yard programs two days a week at all its facilities beginning in June 2024. This did not result in significant savings, as CDCR spent almost a billion dollars more that fiscal year.
Savings goals fall short
Newsom is also signaling that he doesn’t plan to close another prison. He hopes instead to trim CDCR’s budget by following the advice of the Boston Consulting Group, which was awarded $20 million last year to help CDCR get rid of wasteful spending. But state budget analysis reports suggest actual savings from the BCG efficiency contract have fallen significantly short of initial projections of $125 million in fiscal year 2025-26.
CDCR officials are now scrambling to cut down on overtime costs and workers’ compensation benefits, which takes up a large portion of the annual budget. They are also considering a BCG recommendation to cut 137 positions in the department and make changes to procurement processes to cut food purchasing costs, laundry services, clothing and furniture.
“Based on the number of empty beds, the state could close up to five prisons. There is no bad prison to close, just pick one.”
Amber-Rose Howard, CURB executive director
“The state is just really avoiding the idea of closing prisons,” said Amber-Rose Howard, executive director of CURB. “Based on the number of empty beds, the state could close up to five prisons,” she said. “There is no bad prison to close, just pick one.”
Other prisons currently effected by the statewide staffing shortages allegedly include Ironwood State Prison, CSP Sacramento, Pelican Bay State Prison and the California Institution for Men.
Until all budget negotiations are worked out, programming at SQRC and other facilities will be affected and the new learning center will sit empty and events will be canceled Fridays through Mondays until at least June 30.
Steve Brooks is a former California Local News Fellow working with Bay City News Foundation, reporting from inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. He is currently working on a Social Change fellowship with Columbia University. See more of his work at Inside/Out on Local News Matters.