Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement last week that he plans to close a fifth California state prison next year, aiming to save $150 million annually, is part of his continued effort to downsize the penal system. This follows the shutdown of Deuel Vocational Institution, California Correctional Center, California City Correctional Facility, and Chuckwalla Valley State Prison. Meanwhile, Newsom is spending $239 million to transform San Quentin State Prison into a "rehabilitation center" featuring podcast studios and food trucks. These policies are not only misguided—they are insulting to victims of crime and endanger Californians.
Prison closings have led to a decline in the inmate population, from 165,000 in 2006 to approximately 91,000 today, primarily due to sentencing changes and releases that occurred during the COVID-19 period. Newsom blames the trend for being a case for closings even though Proposition 36, passed last November, would add prisoners by making punishment more challenging. The Legislative Analyst's Office warns the closings risk overfilling the prisons, but Newsom is determined. Communities that are affected risk losing jobs without planned recovery, and jail guards caution against diminished monitoring of violent offenders. These cuts are being made, in essence, to preserve massive funding for high-speed rail, healthcare for illegal immigrants, and more bizarre spending priorities.
San Quentin's renovation is worse. In January 2026, Newsom plans to rename it the "San Quentin Rehabilitation Center," complete with college classes and a farmer's market. This multi-hundred-million-dollar endeavor coddles criminals as victims' families continue to suffer. Marc Klaas, whose daughter was murdered by a "rehabilitated" criminal, refers to it as "far-fetched and dangerous." Why invest in prison amenities when schools are being slashed?
Newsom's 2020 release of 18,000 prisoners, ostensibly to slow the spread of COVID-19, including killers, adds to the tragedy. A third were returned to prison for offenses such as rape and murder, among other felonies. Crime Victims United's Nina Salarno Besselman states Newsom never spoke with victims, adding to their anguish. Prioritizing inmates' comfort over victims' sorrow is a moral failure. These policies presuppose felons will change, discrediting many remaining dangers.
I could pen an entire column just about why Democrats do this stuff. I will simply say that their collectivist mindset, eschewing individual responsibility, causes them to feel like convicted felons are, themselves, “victims of society” deserving of compassion rather than accountability.
Newsom's fantasy—less prisons, nicer prisons—is making light of victims' suffering. If you don't want Democrats in Sacramento making us all less safe, and you're outraged at their disdain for victims, remember you get what you vote for. Demand leaders who place your safety above all else.
The “Afternoon Hot Take” is where I provide a write-up about something current in the news. I’m not sure if I’ll do it every weekday, but that’s an aspirational goal!
