San Francisco Oakland San Jose, CA, September 18, 2026 — The San Quentin Rehabilitation Center is piloting a new initiative named Arms Down, designed to confront gun violence by involving individuals who have committed firearm-related offenses. The program seeks to reframe these individuals not just as offenders, but as potential contributors to the solution for gun violence within communities.

At its core, the Arms Down program approaches firearm use and its associated violence as comparable to an addiction. This perspective allows for a therapeutic and rehabilitative framework, aiming to help participants understand and overcome the impulses and circumstances that lead to gun-related crimes.

The initiative specifically targets perpetrators of gun violence, bringing them into a structured environment where their experiences and perspectives are utilized to build solutions. By engaging directly with those who have been involved in gun crimes, the program intends to foster a deeper understanding of the issue and develop more effective strategies for prevention and intervention.

Details regarding the specific methodologies employed within the Arms Down program, such as the duration of engagement, the types of therapeutic or educational activities conducted, or the qualifications of the personnel leading the program, were not provided. Similarly, information about the number of participants, their background, or any specific outcomes or success metrics achieved since the program’s inception is not available at this time. The contractor’s name, if applicable, was also not provided. The program’s operational timeline and any future expansion plans are currently unspecified.


Story summarized from the original created by Ericka Cruz Guevarra on ww2.kqed.org, see more information here.

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