Why California’s Deadliest Prison Was Finally Shut Down | San Quentin’s End

For 170 years, San Quentin State Prison stood as California’s most feared and infamous institution — home to serial killers, gang leaders, and death row inmates. But after decades of violence, riots, and failed reforms, the state made a shocking decision: to shut it down and transform it into a rehabilitation and education center. This documentary reveals the full story — from San Quentin’s brutal 19th-century origins to its 21st-century rebirth as the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. You’ll see how the death penalty crisis, COVID-19 outbreak, and political reform reshaped California’s justice system forever. ⚠️ Disclaimer This documentary is 100% factual and research-based. All information has been verified using official government sources, historical archives, and reputable media outlets, including: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) California Office of the Governor & Legislative Analyst’s Office U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Brown v. Plata, 2011) Associated Press, Reuters, BBC, NPR, The New York Times, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle California State Auditor’s COVID-19 report (2021) Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) Every event, statistic, and quote in this film is drawn from verifiable public records and historical documentation — not speculation or rumor. 0:00 – The Fall of California’s Deadliest Prison 2:30 – How San Quentin Became a Symbol of Fear 6:15 – Birth of Death Row & California’s Execution Era 10:00 – The 1971 Riot and Years of Violence 13:20 – The Court Ruling That Changed Everything (Brown v. Plata) 16:45 – From Death Row to Rehabilitation 19:55 – Inside the Transformation Blueprint 22:15 – The Final Day: When Death Row Closed 24:00 – A New Model of Justice: The California Way 26:10 – Reflections: From Punishment to Possibility 27:30 – Outro: “San Quentin’s End” #SanQuentin #PrisonDocumentary #CaliforniaPrisons #TrueCrimeDocumentary #DeathRow #PrisonReform #GovernorNewsom #BrownvPlata #SanQuentinRehabilitationCenter #CaliforniaModel #USPrisons #PrisonHistory #JusticeReform #TrueJustice #IncarcerationInAmerica #DeathPenalty #CaliforniaNews #SanQuentinDocumentary #BehindBarsTV #CriminalJusticeReform #FactBasedDocumentary #HistoricalDocumentary