Governor Newsom welcomes first Cal State LA bachelor’s cohort at San Quentin as California crime rates reach historic lows

What you need to know: As the state continues to strengthen public safety through targeted law enforcement, accountability and violence prevention, a new Cal State LA program at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center is expanding access to higher education and supporting successful reentry.

SAN QUENTIN - Continuing California's broader efforts to strengthen public safety, further advance drops in crime, and support successful reentry, Governor Gavin Newsom welcomes the inaugural cohort of 34 students pursuing bachelor's degrees through California State University, Los Angeles at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

The 21-month program helps students earn a Liberal Studies degree, bringing university instruction into San Quentin Rehabilitation Center's new Learning Center. The program is part of a broader statewide commitment to making education accessible - with higher education opportunities available at every facility.

By expanding access to college inside our correctional facilities, we're strengthening rehabilitation, supporting successful reentry and helping make our communities safer. The majority of people who enter prison eventually go back once they've served their time, so it is deeply important that those individuals leave being better prepared to positively contribute to their community.

Governor Gavin Newsom

San Quentin Warden Chance Andes speaking at inaugural ceremony for the 34 student cohort pursuing their bachelor's degrees through Cal State LA

Through the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), community college courses are offered through in-person instruction, distance learning or correspondence, and bachelor's degree programs operate at 12 institutions through partnerships with the California State University and University of California systems.

"The continued growth of higher education programs across our institutions reflects CDCR's deep commitment to transforming prison culture and prioritizing rehabilitation," said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber. "Higher education is consistently proven to be one of the strongest predictors of successful re-entry, significantly reducing recidivism and changing lives. Expanding collegiate opportunities throughout California gives incarcerated individuals the tools, confidence and purpose needed to rebuild their lives, which makes our institutions safer today and our communities stronger for generations to come."

Investing in learning at San Quentin

The Cal State LA cohort is supported by San Quentin's new Learning Center, which opened earlier this year providing expanded classroom space, a technology and media hub, outdoor gathering areas and an open-stack library. The library has seen weekly book checkouts increase 400% since the new space opened in May.

"We are proud to partner with CDCR to bring Cal State LA's educational mission to San Quentin and to support students as they pursue their academic goals," said Cal State LA President Berenecea Johnson Eanes. "By extending access and supporting transformation, we help create pathways to opportunity that allow our graduates to visualize a different future for themselves, their families, and their communities."

The Learning Center currently serves 432 Adult Basic Education and Adult Secondary Education students, along with 495 college students. Together, these programs create more opportunities for students to develop academic skills and pursue educational goals while incarcerated.

Expanding access to college

CDCR's statewide education system offers pathways from high school completion and equivalency through associate, bachelor's and master's degrees. Associate and bachelor's degree programs are provided at no cost to students.

As of 2026, CDCR's higher education system reported 9,966 associate degrees, 451 bachelor's degrees and 48 master's degrees. Community colleges provide in-person associate degree classes at most CDCR institutions, along with correspondence courses at all institutions. Twenty-nine higher education institutions offer face-to-face programs, while all 30 provide community college programs through distance learning or correspondence.

Education and rehabilitation support public safety

Education is one part of CDCR's broader rehabilitation strategy, which aims to help people return to their communities better prepared to succeed and less likely to reoffend.

CDCR data show that 81.5% of people who earned Rehabilitation Achievement Credits remained conviction-free three years after release. The same report found that 76.7% of people who earned Educational Merit Credits and 66.7% of people who participated in general rehabilitative programming remained conviction-free over that period.

A recent report also found that incarcerated people who took college courses were 31% more likely to have jobs after release. Employment and education can help people build stability as they reenter their communities.

These outcomes underscore why expanding access to meaningful education and rehabilitation is an important part of California's public safety approach: helping people prepare for life after incarceration can reduce the risk of future crime and help prevent further harm to victims, survivors and communities.

California crime rates fall to historic lows

All of that progress comes as California's latest statewide crime data show declines across every major category in 2025. Compared with 2024, California saw:

• Homicide: ↓ 18.6%

• Robbery: ↓ 19.9%

• Property crime: ↓ 14.3%

• Motor vehicle theft: ↓ 25.8%

• Violent crime: ↓ 10.2%

Since Governor Newsom took office, homicide is down 20%, robbery is down 31%, property crime is down 24%, motor vehicle theft is down 19%, and violent crime is down 3%.

The Governor's public safety strategy has included investments in law enforcement, partnerships with local agencies, organized crime enforcement, gun safety, drug interdiction and violence prevention.

A public safety strategy built around what works

From historic investments in law enforcement to community-based violence prevention, California is taking a comprehensive approach to making communities safer. Governor Newsom began making public safety a priority from day one - building the foundation for safer communities through stronger gun laws, expanded violence prevention, tougher action against organized crime and fentanyl trafficking, and deeper partnerships between state and local law enforcement.

Year after year, his Administration added capacity: more CHP officers, new Crime Suppression Teams, expanded counterdrug operations, record investments in community violence prevention and stronger tools to hold offenders accountable.

Then, he took that strategy statewide - and that sustained commitment is now delivering results. Crime is falling, law enforcement capacity is growing, deadly drugs and illegal firearms are being seized, stolen property is being recovered, and new research is showing that targeted violence prevention can save lives.