Business and Justice Leaders Gather at San Quentin to Highlight California Model’s Success

The Last Mile (TLM), in partnership with Virgin Unite and Business Leaders Against the Death Penalty, convened an exclusive panel discussion inside San Quentin Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday. Leaders in business, government, and non-profits spent the day with residents, spotlighting the positive impact of education and rehabilitation programs fueling the California Model and calling for their continued expansion.

“Our graduates have proven time and again that with opportunity and support, justice-impacted individuals can thrive,” said Chris Redlitz, Co-Founder of TLM and a member of Governor Newsom’s San Quentin Transformation Advisory Council. “The success of the California Model shows that rehabilitation is both humane and smart.”

Founded in 2010 at San Quentin, The Last Mile (TLM) equips justice-impacted individuals with technology skills such as web development, software engineering, and audio/video production – achieving recidivism rates under 5% compared to more than 60% nationally. TLM’s work is a cornerstone of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s “California Model,” which recognizes the importance of employment as a major deterrent to recidivism, aiming to transform San Quentin into a national benchmark in justice reform.

Commuting the state’s costly death sentences was also raised by panelists. The death penalty is not only ineffective and error-prone, but a financial black hole—costing the state an estimated $150 million annually to maintain, with no demonstrable benefit to public safety. Taxpayers will pay an estimated $600 million in legal fees for those currently facing death sentences. In contrast, many of the highest-impact rehabilitative programs rely on private donations and volunteers. Redirecting those resources to victim services and expanding proven programs like The Last Mile, which measurably reduce recidivism and strengthen communities, was discussed as a more effective investment model for California to advance public safety. 

Participants engaged in forward-looking dialogue about expanding educational tracks—including second-chance hiring, entrepreneurship, certification, justice, and community healing. The panel included: Kevin McCrackin (Executive Director, The Last Mile), Michael Mendoza (National Criminal Justice Director, LatinoJustice PRLDEF), Ken Hartman (Executive Director, Transformative Programming Works), and Maha Jweied (Business Leaders Against the Death Penalty).

About The Last Mile, LatinoJustice, Virgin Unite, and Business Leaders Against the Death Penalty

The Last Mile (TLM) is the nation’s most successful prison education program focused on technology training and reentry support, helping justice-impacted individuals secure meaningful careers and reduce recidivism (https://thelastmile.org). 

Virgin Unite is the independent nonprofit foundation of the Virgin Group and the Branson Family, working to unite people and entrepreneurial ideas to create opportunities for a better world (https://unite.virgin.com).

LatinoJustice.org (formerly LatinoJustice PRLDEF) is a national civil rights organization that has defended the rights and opportunities of Latinos for over 50 years. Through impact litigation, advocacy, and education, the nonprofit works to challenge discriminatory practices, advance voting rights, promote fair employment, and ensure equal access to justice. LatinoJustice.org partners with communities across the country to build power, protect democracy, and create a more just and inclusive society. (https://www.latinojustice.org)

Business Leaders Against the Death Penalty (#BizVsDP) is a global campaign, launched in 2021, comprised of 500+ executives who have declared their commitment to using their voices to abolish the death penalty and advocate for a fairer, safer, and more humane world. (https://www.bizvsdp.org/)