Allen Burnett

Co-Founder & Executive Director

The Prism Way

My body was incarcerated but my words were never incarcerated. They could touch everyone and everybody everywhere and all the time.

About Allen

I was sentenced to life without parole and served 28 years, but I used that time to transform my life and pursue education.
My first job in prison was handing out class sign-up lists, which sparked a passion for community and education.
Despite no institutional support, we shared books and inspired each other—over 300 of us earned associate degrees while inside.
Joining the first in-person Cal State LA Prison Graduation Initiative cohort inside prison gave me the tools and hope to lead with compassion and purpose.
My sentence was commuted in 2019 by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
When I got out, I feared no one would hire me, but I leaned into my skills and vision and began consulting for justice organizations.
An LA Times article about the Prison Graduation Initiative led to a call that changed everything—joining The Prism Way as a co-founder.
I went from solitary prison cells to shaping nonprofit strategy, getting my master’s degree, and creating spaces rooted in healing.