San Quentin State Prison, California's infamous correctional facility, is undergoing a ground-breaking transformation inspired by the Nordic Model. Danish architectural firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen, in collaboration with DLR Group, is leading the redesign of the prison facility into the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. The redesign will embrace the Scandinavian prison systems which emphasize restorative justice and humane conditions to promote rehabilitation and re-entry for the incarcerated population.
This ambitious project aligns with Governor Gavin Newsom's vision of redefining justice through education and rehabilitation. The design will feature a campus-like layout, incorporating classrooms, a library, a technology centre, and recreational spaces designed to support education and skills development for inmates. The campus will include green spaces and communal areas to foster an environment supportive of wellbeing. The design shifts the model of the facility from a traditional punitive incarceration model to a model that promotes emotional, moral, and vocational development to support successful reintegration into society.
San Quentin, notorious for housing the largest death row population in the U.S., has a storied legacy but will now serve as a national model for modern correctional facilities. The project reflects the state’s broader commitment to justice reform. The transformation of the facility showcases the importance of architectural design solutions in reshaping societal perspectives by promoting positive human behavior and advancing humane correctional practices.
"Transforming San Quentin is a personal ambition of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Our work on a new campus within the prison's secure perimeter marks the first step towards realising the Governor’s vision of a prison system inspired by the Nordic model, with a clear focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. We’re extremely proud to be part of this project and the collaboration with CDCR and the Governor’s Office."– Sanne Wall-Gremstrup, CEO and Partner, Schmidt Hammer Lassen
