William Hoffmann
- PausePlay Today: “I’m part of something that’s bigger than myself.”
- PausePlay Crime: “He was a good son, and I took that away from them.”
- PausePlay Turning Point: “Understanding the harm I’d caused deepened my remorse, which deepened my change.”
- PausePlay On Forgiveness: “I felt like I didn’t deserve any happiness.”
William Hoffmann is a senior coordinator for the Children’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. Outside of work, his primary focus is being a supportive and active family member, and he provides in-home support services for his disabled father. He shares his story in hopes it will prevent others from taking the path he took and demonstrate the value of restorative justice. While incarcerated, he earned multiple associate degrees and worked as a tutor, helping others earn their GEDs and succeed in college. He also served as the lead elder of the Tree of Life Fellowship, a diverse congregation of more than 80 people. After returning home, he earned a bachelor’s in business administration.
In 1998, at age 18, William was arrested for murder. Soon after, he realized the harm he had caused. “I was filled with shame and remorse,” he says. “I repented at that point and committed to living my life differently.” He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. His faith led him to a new way of thinking, and he sought out ways to better himself and his community.
In 2018, his sentence was commuted by the governor of California, who noted that “Mr. Hoffmann … focused on his rehabilitation, despite serving a sentence that offered no hope of a life outside of prison.” He was granted parole in 2020. He spent 22 years in prison.
William believes great leadership requires humility to serve others, so they have the capacity and resources they need to be successful.
