San Quentin is California's oldest and best known correctional institution.The prison today includes a reception center for new commitments, a parole violator unit, general population units, and a minimum security work crew unit.

San Quentin State Prison was opened in July 1852 and covers 432 acres. San Quentin housed both male and female inmates until 1933 when the women's prison at Tehachapi was built.

The Department of Corrections selected Winzler & Kelly to provide professional engineering services for a new 1,000-bed Condemned Inmate Complex adjacent to the existing San Quentin Main Facility. Winzler & Kelly was selected because of our unique ability to provide all of the required engineering disciplines for the project in-house. The complex will be located on approximately 35 acres at Dairy Hill. Grading of the site will require the movement of approximately 180,000 cubic yards of soil and demolition of 39 buildings. An additional third housing unit may be required at a later date to accommodate additional inmates. The project work includes:

• Demolition and Hazmat
• Security fencing and perimeter road
• Possible modifications to the East and West Gates
• Two 180-unit housing facilities
• Operations/Admin Buildings/Correctional Treatment Center
• Facility services for health, legal, and library