The evolution of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center began with the first prison ship in 1851 and the spirit of change continues to this day. (See the video below.)
San Quentin was California’s first institution to incarcerate those who’ve been convicted of breaking laws.
After briefly relying on two county jail ships, one in Sacramento and the other in San Francisco, John Coffee “Jack” Hays acquired the Waban. Hays, the sheriff of San Francisco, outfitted the Waban to operate as the first state prison. In December 1851, he sailed to Angel Island with roughly 40 incarcerated people.
The first incarcerated person on the ship was Charles Currier, a 22-year-old cabinet maker, received Jan. 25, 1851. He served aboard the Sacramento jail ship, the La Grange, was transferred to the Waban, and helped build what would become San Quentin
Since Angel Island already had a quarry, the location was considered ideal. The federal government denied California’s claim on the land, forcing the state prison contractor to move.
Amid the confusion and other issues, the contract with Hays to run the prison was voided and instead awarded to James Estelle.
In 1852, they moved the Waban to Point San Quentin. While anchored offshore, incarcerated workers were transported to land during the day, quarrying stone and making bricks to construct the first prison cells.
See the evolution of San Quentin in the video below.
Related content:
- Learn more about San Quentin in this photo timeline.
- Read about the first incarcerated people in California.
- San Quentin Archives: An accountant, Civil War veteran, and a teen.
Story and video by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications
Learn more about California prison history.
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