District Attorneys and staff dialogue with incarcerated individuals and discuss strategies for effective crime prevention and rehabilitation to make California communities safer

San Francisco, CA – Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and 10 other elected California District Attorneys and representatives from three other district attorney’s offices participated in a symposium at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC). District Attorney Jenkins led and organized the symposium to begin a dialogue with incarcerated men, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) staff and fellow district Attorneys about the role of prosecutors in the California Model and efforts to improve public safety for communities across the state while ensuring both accountability and meaningful opportunities for rehabilitation.

“I would like to thank my fellow district attorneys from across the state for joining me at San Quentin to witness the transformative power of effective rehabilitation programs to start this important dialogue around how we can work collaboratively to make our communities safer,” said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “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.”

“I commend the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office for spearheading this vital symposium and bringing elected District Attorneys from across California to San Quentin,” said San Quentin Rehabilitation Center Warden Chance Andes. “Your commitment to addressing disparities and promoting equitable sentencing practices is a crucial step toward a more just and compassionate criminal justice system. At San Quentin, we are proud to support these efforts, knowing that our incarcerated individuals deserve the chance to share their rehabilitation journeys and demonstrate their readiness to reintegrate as productive members of our community.”

The symposium at SQRC included a panel discussion with incarcerated individuals and staff, a tour of the institution led by incarcerated individuals, as well as small and large group discussions with reflections. Panelists set the stage for the day’s program by sharing and reflecting on their individual journeys and experience with the California Model at SQRC and rehabilitation programming at other CDCR facilities where they had been previously incarcerated or worked. Each small discussion group included district attorneys and incarcerated individuals.

Elected District Attorneys from Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Modoc, Mono, Napa, Nevada, San Diego, San Mateo, and Shasta joined San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins at the symposium at SQRC. Representatives from the Marin, Riverside, San Joaquin and Santa Clara Counties District Attorneys’ Offices also participated as well as the California District Attorneys Association.

Pictures and B-roll available upon request.

District Attorney Jenkins launched the Healing, Reform and Reentry partnership with SQRC in 2024 with the goal of developing innovative crime prevention strategies by engaging in direct dialogue with incarcerated men. This strategy leverages their unique perspectives and insights in order to develop programs and initiatives aimed at making communities safer. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has participated in quarterly symposia with incarcerated men at SQRC and participated in monthly meetings of the incarcerated men’s civic engagement group. To date, over 50 staff members have participated in symposia from across the District Attorney’s Office, including Assistant District Attorneys, Policy and Legislation staff and Victim Advocates.

As a result of this partnership, District Attorney Jenkins worked with Assembly Member Catherine Stefani and Assembly Member Damon Connolly to introduce legislation developed in partnership with incarcerated men to improve victim services and expand rehabilitation efforts. AB 1213, introduced by AM Stefani, the Restitution First Act, would prioritize restitution payments to victims of crime ahead of any other orders, AB 1140, introduced by AM Connolly the Single-Occupancy Cell Pilot Program of 2026, would require CDCR to develop and implement a pilot program to house 10% of incarcerated individuals at four adult prison facilities in single-occupancy cells by January 1, 2027. Both bills are continuing in the legislative process with AB 1140 (Connolly) under consideration before the Assembly Appropriations Committee and with AB 1213 (Stefani) unanimously passing the Assembly and under consideration in the Senate.

The Healing, Reform and Reentry Partnership is part of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office’s Access to Hope Initiative. The Access to Hope Initiative is a prevention and intervention strategy designed to build trust and create hope in those individuals and communities most deeply impacted by crime and violence to prevent and deter crime. Access to Hope Initiative programs and projects play a critical role in the District Attorney’s Office’s ongoing commitment to centering victims and those impacted by crime and violence, in our pursuit of justice, and work to advance smart criminal justice reforms.

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