San Quentin Skunk Works

San Quentin Skunk Works is partnering with local game stores to donate tabletop games to San Quentin and other carceral facilities as part of our Community Building program. As part of ongoing research these games are being used to track the rehabilitative and behavioral outcomes of incarcerated people who are playing games. In addition to the gaming table being the only non-segregated table at San Quentin- and in most prison institutions- we have found that incarcerated people who actively play games are less likely to receive 115's for discipline. Through this program and by promoting gameplay we are reinforcing personal responsibility, critical thinking, community-building instead of segregation, and emotional regulation.

San Quentin Skunk Works is an innovation lab that researches, designs, and implements criminal justice and prison reform policies. Our programs create safer communities, empower incarcerated people, and reduce recidivism. Through innovation, advocacy, policy, partnership, and research we are changing prison from the inside out.