Episode 79, Part 1: Warden Chance Andes
- 36:25
- March 31, 2025
Changing the Future and Culture of Corrections with Warden Chance Andes
Chance Andes is the official Warden of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, previously serving as an associate warden and a gang investigator within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. With a career spanning over two decades, Andes has risen through the ranks by demonstrating innovative leadership and an unwavering commitment to rehabilitation and staff wellness. After extensive vetting and a recommendation to Governor Gavin Newsom, Andes was officially appointed warden on December 23rd. His impressive credentials include travel to Norway to study progressive prison models, experiences he has since adapted to implement the “California Model” at San Quentin, aimed at enhancing rehabilitation opportunities for incarcerated individuals and improving staff wellness.
“If I can send someone back to the community with skills, education, and a sense of humanity, that’s real public safety. It’s not just about locking them up. It’s about giving them a chance to be productive. The people we incarcerate are going to be released someday. My responsibility is to make sure they leave with tools that help them contribute positively to society, not fall back into old patterns. Rehabilitation is the key to real safety for everyone.”
In this interview, Andes discusses his unconventional journey to leadership, growing up with family members who struggled with incarceration and addiction. This unique perspective has shaped his humane approach to corrections, where he strives to create meaningful rehabilitation opportunities for the incarcerated. Notably, Andes emphasizes the importance of providing real-world skills to inmates, such as coding programs facilitated by organizations like The Last Mile, which help prepare inmates for successful reintegration into society. He also addresses challenges in implementing reforms, including staff resistance to change, adapting the Norway model to fit the California context, and ensuring rehabilitation initiatives are genuinely transformative rather than performative. Andes passionately argues that treating incarcerated individuals humanely and providing them with educational opportunities is not only morally right but also critical to public safety.
Episode Outline
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:02:00) Warden Andes’ Background
(00:04:00) Entering Corrections and Early Career
(00:06:00) Finding Passion in Rehabilitation
(00:09:00) Rising Through the Ranks
(00:10:00) Norway Experience and The California Model
(00:13:00) Public Safety and Rehabilitation
(00:15:00) Staff and Inmate Resistance to Change
(00:17:00) Implementing Innovative Programs
(00:18:00) Overcoming Technological Fears
(00:20:00) The Name Change to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
(00:23:00) Creating a New Model of Rehabilitation
(00:25:00) The Importance of Accountability
(00:26:00) Programs for Youth Offenders
(00:27:00) Reducing Violence and Incidents Through Connection
(00:30:00) Evaluating Staff Performance and Rehabilitation
(00:33:00) Future Goals and Sentencing Reform
(00:34:00) Conclusion
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