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California | San Quentin begins prison reform - but not for those on death row

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California is transferring everyone on death row at San Quentin prison to other places, as it tries to reinvent the state's most notorious facility as a rehabilitation centre. Many in this group will now have new freedoms. But they are also asking why they've been excluded from the reform - and whether they'll be safe in new prisons. Keith Doolin still remembers the day in 2019 when workers came to dismantle one of the United States' most infamous death chambers.

California Plans New Death Row Costing $356 Million

San Quentin's brand new execution chamber
San Quentin's brand new execution chamber
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has earmarked $136 million in additional funds to build a new death row at San Quentin State Prison.

In 2003, the California State Legislature had authorized $220 million for the same project, but the plans were put aside when cost estimates increased. The current estimate is $356 million to complete the construction of the 768 new cells needed to reduce San Quentin's significant overcrowding.

California already has the largest death row in the country, with approximately 660 inmates. In 30 years, the state has carried out 13 executions.

Many members of the legislature oppose spending such a large amount of money on death row facilities. Assemblyman Jared Huffman said he was "extremely disappointed" by the budget allocation, especially given that Gov. Schwarzenegger has also proposed budget cuts to social programs.

Steve Kinsey, Supervisor of Marin County, California, also noted, "At a time when the governor's budget is going to put children on the street, it is absurd to be spending $400,000 a bed for condemned prisoners."

Source: $136 million requested for new death row at San Quentin, Richard Halstead, Marin Independent Journal, January 10, 2008

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