Hillary Blout, a former San Francisco prosecutor, has made a significant impact on the criminal justice system.
Through her nonprofit organization, For The People, Blout has helped resentence and release close to 1,000 incarcerated individuals. Her work represents a dramatic shift from her previous role in the justice system.
From Prosecutor to Prison Reform Advocate
Blout’s journey began with six years as a prosecutor in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Initially planning to become a public defender, she changed course after meeting a Black prosecutor from Mississippi.
This encounter, coupled with Kamala Harris’s groundbreaking role as the first Black woman elected prosecutor, inspired Blout. She saw an opportunity to create change from within the system.
Pioneering Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing
In 2018, Blout spearheaded the drafting and passage of AB 2942. This groundbreaking legislation became the first Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing law in the United States.
Her efforts have led to five states adopting laws allowing prosecutors to review and recommend reduced sentences. Blout continues to advocate for similar legislation across the country.
For The People: A New Approach to Justice
As founder and executive director of For The People, Blout leads a national nonprofit dedicated to reviewing previous sentences. The organization works tirelessly to help release formerly incarcerated individuals who have been rehabilitated.
Blout also heads the nation’s first prosecutor-initiated resentencing clinic at the University of California, Davis Law School. This innovative program trains future legal professionals in this new approach to justice.
Together Home: Supporting Incarcerated Women
For The People launched a campaign called Together Home to address the unique challenges faced by incarcerated women. The initiative aims to raise awareness and support prosecutors in identifying women suitable for safe release.
This focused effort has contributed significantly to the nearly 1,000 individuals resentenced through Blout’s work. It highlights the importance of considering individual circumstances in the justice system.
Redefining Public Safety and Prosecution
Blout envisions a future where all prosecutors prioritize fair sentencing and rehabilitation. She believes that public safety is best served when rehabilitated individuals can rejoin their communities.
“Every prosecutor in this country will see it as their job to ensure that there’s nobody serving a sentence when they can otherwise be home with their families,” Blout states. This perspective redefines the role of prosecutors in ensuring justice and public safety.
