Allen Burnett

Allen Burnett is the co-founder and executive director of The Prism Way, a community-based organization focused on re-entry, behavioral health, and self-development for justice-involved individuals. He is a consultant for Parole Justice Works, a non-profit organization improving the California parole process for both crime survivors and potential parolees. He is also a member of the Transformative In-prison Workgroup’s leadership team and an advisory board member of Theatre Workers Project community-based organizations. Additionally, he is a member of Project Rebound at Cal State, Los Angeles, an organization designed to assist system-impacted and formerly incarcerated students. Allen earned a master’s degree in communication studies from Cal State, Los Angeles. He is an accomplished public speaker, with several publications featured in academic journals and articles.

Allen was arrested in 1992 at the age of 18, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life without parole plus five years. He remembers distinctly when his personal transformation began: “It was when I admitted to God in prayer the details of the crime. This act opened the door to my being honest with myself and others and taking responsibility for the harm I caused.” Allen began to focus on what he calls “purposeful living.”

In 2019, the California Governor recognized Allen’s dramatic change, and commuted his sentence. Allen was released after going through the parole process in June 2020. He spent 28 years in prison.

As a leader, Allen values empathy, awareness, listening, compassion, foresight, and vision. In his words, “To lead, you have to be able to serve.”