Some argue for increasing single-cell units in California prisons

In many California prisons, inmates are often confined in small cells with strangers. Privacy is minimal, with some resorting to hanging sheets to separate beds from toilets. Minor annoyanceslike snoring, smells, or lightscan quickly escalate into tension or conflict. Without immediate officer intervention, anxiety and fear build, affecting mental health over time.

You dont know the background or temperament of the person youre sharing a cell with, said Steven Warren, an inmate at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. You cant predict whether they might become violent against you.

Some lawmakers and prison officials argue that increasing single-cell availability could improve inmate well-being and overall safety. Californias prison population has dropped from over 173,000 in 2006 to fewer than 90,000 today, thanks to parole reforms, sentencing changes, and prison closures. Rehabilitation programs have also become a higher priority under former Gov. Jerry Brown and current Gov. Gavin Newsom.

San Quentin is leading the push, featuring an earned living unit with single-person cells and plans to convert former Death Row buildings into similar housing. A spokesperson stated that the facility aims to offer single-cell options to all inmates by spring 2026.

This year, the California Legislature considered a bill to expand single-cell units statewide. Although the legislation did not reach Gov. Newsom, it is expected to return in 2026. We want people to return to society in the healthiest way possible, said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who helped draft the bill. Thats difficult when inmates are in stressful, unsafe conditions that prevent proper sleep and create constant tension.

Jenkins visited San Quentin multiple times to speak with inmates, listening closely to concerns about cellmate violence. She partnered with Assemblymember Damon Connolly to introduce a bill proposing pilot single-cell programs at four state prisons. The legislation emphasizes that safe sleeping arrangements are essential for rehabilitation and also benefit correctional staff by reducing workplace hazards.

The California Correctional Peace Officers Association supports the proposal, citing the dangers and stress caused by shared cells. The union has historically backed Newsoms focus on rehabilitation while opposing further prison closures.

Inmates have recounted incidents of severe cellmate violence, including fatal attacks, highlighting the risks of double occupancy. Many older prisons, such as San Quentin and Folsom, were originally designed for one inmate per cell but were later overcrowded during the mass incarceration era of the 1990s and 2000s.

Federal lawsuits eventually forced California to reduce overcrowding, but current facilities still operate above original design capacity. Closing prisons can save significant funds, yet some advocacy groups argue that expanding single-cell options may conflict with abolitionist goals to reduce the overall prison population.

One key benefit of single-cell units is incentivizing good behavior. Shared cells can result in both occupants receiving disciplinary infractions for one persons actions, negatively impacting parole and reentry opportunities. In contrast, San Quentins earned living Donner unit has significantly lower write-up rates, encouraging inmates to follow rules.

Erick Maciel, a Donner resident since 2023, said having his own cell feels like a form of freedom, allowing him to focus on self-improvement without constant pressure from correctional officers. Inmates must remain disciplinary-free to retain their single-cell privileges, promoting accountability and personal responsibility.

Supporters see single-occupancy cells as a practical step toward safer, more rehabilitative prisons, aligning with Californias broader goals of decarceration and public safety.

Author: Olivia Parker