Looking Back to Move Forward
A note From our executive director
For The People’s Executive Director, Hillary Blout, on a new vision for justice, public safety, and thriving communities
For The People was founded on a simple yet powerful belief: thousands of people in prison can be safely released and make positive contributions to our communities. As a former prosecutor, I realized there were cases that merited a second look. This is why I founded For The People: to activate untapped human potential by bringing people home who could better serve society from outside prison walls. By working with prosecutors and key stakeholders in the justice system, we identify people in prison who can be safely released. Then, we bring them home from prison to reunite families and strengthen communities.
We recommend viewing the report on web for the full experience. You can also download or print the executive summary.
A Timeline of Our Work
Follow our historic milestones toward a new vision of justice.
Our mission & vision
Our mission is to forge a new pathway to justice.
We partner with prosecutors and key stakeholders to identify people in prison who can be safely released, reuniting families and strengthening communities for generations to come.
We envision a world where unlocking human potential is the cornerstone of public safety – where no one is serving time in prison who could otherwise be positively serving their community.
Pillars of Our Work
impact By the Numbers
More than 1,000 people have been resentenced with a second chance at freedom.
In 61 jurisdictions and counting, prosecutors are choosing to revisit past sentences—some in partnership with For The People, others independently.
An analysis of 88 cases For The People has supported through the resentencing process
RAND's research of people resentenced through PIR in nine California counties
See Methodology
1,003 years
Between 585 and 1,003 years of incarceration were saved, solely in a sample of 88 cases For The People has directly supported.
1 in 4 people
1 in 4 people were 26 or younger at the time of the offense. Neuroscience suggests that the brain is not fully developed until the age of 25.
75% of people
75% of people resentenced are Black or Latinx.
83% of people
83% of people had served more than 10 years in prison. The majority still had more than five years to go.
70% of people
About 70% of people had originally been sentenced to life, life without parole, or virtual life in prison.
60% of people
More than 60% of people were 50 or older at the time of their release, addressing rising healthcare costs for aging people in prison. As people age, their likelihood of reoffending also dramatically decreases.
85% of people
85% of people had at least one sentence enhancement (including “Three Strikes”) – addressing old, outdated sentences that would never be given out today.
Donate to For The People to support second chances.
Pillar I
Powering Policy Wins
We power legislative wins that pave a new pathway to justice by strategizing and coalition-building in jurisdictions nationwide.
In 2018, we secured our first policy win, enabling prosecutors to look back at past sentences. Now, six states have their own laws of this kind.
States that have passed PIR laws or rules
States that have proposed PIR laws
We will continue to spearhead policies across the country, working to build a more equitable system that recognizes that people change.
Related Reading
Pillar II
Building New Justice Systems
We build new justice systems by working with prosecutors and other system stakeholders to review past cases and safely bring people home from prison.
Growth of PIR Over the Years
Since we began in 2019, more than 60 counties across the country are now engaging in Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing or similar mechanisms.
Shifting Perspectives: DAs Visiting Prisons
In 2023, we brought 20 prosecutors representing nine DA offices into a prison, which paved the way for future visits. Since then, prosecutors have shared the many ways this work has impacted them. As one DA put it: "We are all more similar than we are different. I learned that our true self is revealed when no one is watching.”
DAs from nine California counties attend prison visit facilitated by For The People.
Streamlining the Path To Justice
We prioritize a constant feedback cycle and learning opportunities with our partners - including trainings, workshops, and listening sessions. In 2024, we co-hosted a research convening with Arnold Ventures and RAND, bringing together DAs from across the country.
For The People partners with RAND and Arnold Ventures to host DAs at national research convening.
Major Publications & Reports
Over the years, we have released several key publications to support our DA partners and advance scholarship on Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing. In 2021, we published the first report examining the law’s origins, trajectory, and impact in California, including prison data, policy insights, and recommendations. In 2022, we followed with the first national guide to help prosecutors, lawmakers, and advocates advance this work.
Pillar III
Transforming Futures Together
We collaborate with people on their reentry plans long before they reach the prison gates. Once home, we offer ongoing support and connect them to resources to help them thrive long-term.
For The People has been with me since I paroled. I had a reentry person check on me, and I could call them if I needed any assistance. I feel like they have had my back to this day.
Troy Dunmore
Sentenced to 65 years-to-life, resentenced after 26 years
Home For Good
In 2021, we launched our Home For Good video campaign spotlighting the powerful stories of people who are returning home from prison and strengthening their communities. In 2021, Home for Good was awarded a prestigious Gold Anthem Award. It also earned a spot in the San Quentin Film Festival, proving these stories are not just being told—they're being heard.
Thank you to our reentry partners
This work is a collective effort. We’re grateful to our partners providing leading reentry services on the ground to help people thrive once home.
Related Reading
Pillar IV
Rewriting the Narrative
We are rewriting the story of second chances by uplifting the journeys of formerly incarcerated people and system leaders who believe that people can change.
Five DAs: Justice Calls Us
In 2020, we launched a powerful narrative change PSA spotlighting five inspiring District Attorneys from across California. Together, they share what drives them in this work, urging prosecutors nationwide to take action and embrace this new vision of justice.
Making Headlines: Impact in the Media
Honors, Awards, and Recognitions
SFBT Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business Winner 2024
Foundation for the Improvement of Justice Winner 2024
Gold Winner 2024
Powerful Women of the Bay Winner 2022
Success Magazine Changemakers Finalist 2024
Finalist 2024
The road ahead
Unlocking Tomorrow
Initiatives and innovations leading us into our next five years.
Thank You to Our Supporters
We are deeply grateful for our partners over the years who have made this work possible.
Support us to power the next generation of justice innovation and reunite families.
Our Team & Board
Our team is made up of attorneys–former prosecutors and defenders–as well as system-impacted people, crime survivors, policy experts, and storytellers.
Our Team
Thank you to our dedicated team for their tireless work in advancing justice.
Our Board
We are grateful for our board members, past and present, whose unique expertise in criminal justice reform, restorative justice, law enforcement, and public health, move our work forward.
Join us in this vision of justice.
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