San Quentin State Prison Gets New Warden

SAN QUENTIN (CBS SF) – San Quentin State Prison will have a new warden on Tuesday, this as it readies for some big changes as the state tries to reduce the inmate population.

The facility has had seven wardens since 2004. The latest will be Kevin Chappelle, who comes to San Quentin after serving as the chief deputy warden at Folsom State Prison.

"Although there's been some leadership change throughout the years, one thing I do know about San Quentin is that it's rich with experienced staff," said Chappelle. "There is a good management team that is going to support me and we're going to move with that."

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

Stanford Law Professor Joan Petersilia said one of the challenges facing San Quentin and other state prisons is realignment. She said the state is under court order to reduce its prison population by about 30,000 inmates.

"They have actually shed about 8,000 prisoners just since October when the real realignment started," she said. "So we are down 8,000 prisoners and basically on target with the courts."

Chappelle has worked his way up the ranks of the Correction's Department since beginning his career in 1987.

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