San Francisco's top prosecutor, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, recently orchestrated a meeting of minds at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) that brought California prosecutors together with the incarcerated to discuss criminal justice reform. Jenkins and fellow district attorneys from across the state convened to bridge dialogues on public safety, accountability, and rehabilitation efforts. The ground-breaking symposium aimed to tap into the often-overlooked insights of those behind bars and to chart paths towards a safer community landscape collaboratively.
The gathering featured panel discussions and a guided tour of the facility by those serving time, looking to showcase the redemptive potential within the walls of SQRC. Jenkins believes that including offenders in the conversation is a necessary step to curb future criminality effectively. “The incarcerated population have a unique perspective on accountability and effective crime prevention that we can leverage in our work to prevent crime and victimization," she said, as quoted by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office website.
In what SQRC Warden Chance Andes regards as a move towards a more equitable system, the symposium reflects a broader trend of Californian criminal justice reforms seeking to balance punitive measures with rehabilitative opportunities. Andes praised the efforts, saying, as per the SF District Attorney’s Office, "Your commitment to addressing disparities and promoting equitable sentencing practices is a crucial step toward a more just and compassionate criminal justice system." These words underscore the sentiment that rehabilitation and reform within the prison system are integral to fostering safer communities.
Jenkins has sought to build this bridge between the system and the served with the Healing, Reform, and Reentry partnership established in 2024. The initiative has hosted quarterly symposia, where over 50 staff members, including those from policy, legislation, and victim advocacy departments, stand to gain insight from those living out their sentences directly. This partnership aims to co-create innovative crime prevention strategies by deeply engaging with those who have experienced the system first-hand. To place victims at the center of justice, Jenkins has worked alongside Assembly Members to introduce bills such as the Restitution First Act and the Single-Occupancy Cell Pilot Program.
