San Quentin Rehabilitation Center hosted a first-of-its-kind California Model luncheon for staff and the incarcerated population Sept. 23.
The engaging event featured impassioned brainstorming with local staff and the incarcerated community on solutions for challenges facing San Quentin amid transformational change.
The luncheon encouraged open dialogue and interactive, solution-focused problem solving.
“This is Dynamic Security right here,” remarked one of the event’s many speakers.
The event was jointly hosted by San Quentin Rehabilitation Center CEO Rhonda Litt, Warden Chance Andes, the Inmate Advisory Council and San Quentin’s Civic Engagement Group, a team of in-prison leaders who meet to workshop issues incarcerated people face.
Attendees consisting of custody, healthcare, volunteers, and non-custody staff from San Quentin were accompanied by staff from CDCR and CCHCS headquarters, forming 12 small groups to tackle one of three self-identified challenges:
- improving safety and wellness
- creating a drug-free San Quentin
- enhancing communication and mutual respect.
Together, attendees presented their solutions to the topics and signed a community pledge, written alongside artwork crafted during the event.
The event included a pizza lunch donated by formerly incarcerated justice reform advocate Nate Williams, founder of Choices for Freedom.
CDCR/CCHCS administrators expressed interest in replicating the event in other institutions across the state.
The incarcerated groups thanked everyone involved, including staff, volunteers, American sign language interpreters and other incarcerated participants.
Those involved included:
- Nate Williams, founder, Choices for Freedom
- Jean Casella, director, Solitary Watch
- Staci Phillips, chairperson, Inmate Family Council
- Angelina Torres, office technician with the Community Resource Manager’s Office
- Lt. Guim’Mara Berry, public information officer
- Warden Andes
- CEO Litt
- and the CCHCS communications team.
Learn more about the California Model on the CDCR website.
Story by Amanda Spangler, communications analyst
California Correctional Health Care Services
The luncheon in pictures
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