By Caroline Bunnell
Supporters of William Allen say that since William Allen was incarcerated in 1994, he has worked to transform his life, as well as other lives, leading to the eventual commutation of his sentence.
Allen who served almost 28 years in prison, had his sentence commuted in January and officially was granted parole on April 20 and he should be released soon.
While in prison, Allen has become heavily involved in many of the programs to learn different skills and trades.
Because of the evidence that Allen transformed his life, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker approved his commutation, making it only the second commutation since the 1990s.
Allen has served almost 28 years for taking part in an armed robbery that ended in a man being fatally stabbed. The man who committed the murder, has been freed for 10 years.
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said he initially opposed Allen’s release.
However, in June of 2021, after reviewing the case, he changed his mind and offered his support at the Governor’s Council hearing.
“You could hear a pin drop in that room when I was in favor of his release,” Cruz said.
Since then, the case has gained support from the local community, as well as attention from the media.
“It was helpful for him to be heard by so many people,” Cruz said.
One of these organizations that supported William Allen is Second Chance Justice.
Joe Moore, a volunteer at Second Chance Justice, said he knew Allen deserved to be commuted.
“He struck me, but not just me, the whole social work staff, the teachers. He participated in this terrible crime, but he didn’t have a criminal persona,” Moore said.
Throughout the commutation hearings, a number of people said Allen has already been able to make a difference while still in prison through volunteering opportunities, such as being a mentor in Bridgewater, and being a model inmate.
“William is coming home to do for us, just like he already has,” Director of Massachusetts Community Action Network Jennine Carreiro said.
While incarcerated, Allen became a certified peer specialist. He works with those in recovery from trauma or substance abuse.
“He can use his own experiences and lessons learned to help someone who is in his own journey for recovery,” Allen’s lawyer Kris McDonald said.
Allen also became a barber, and minister, as well as practicing a variety of vocations.
His first-degree murder conviction was commuted and signed by the Gov. Baker in January 2022.
Experts say that adjusting back to life outside of prison can be difficult for many, which can lead to a high recidivism rate.
44% of inmates released, return to prison within their first year of release, according to the National Institute of Justice.
Allen has been in prison for 27 years and there have been many changes to society since then.
“It will be a challenge when he gets out because it’s such a different world. I hope he doesn’t get swept up in everything,” Cruz said.
McDonald said his biggest challenge will be not jumping into too much all at once.
Stonehill student, Nikki Boudrieau, who works as an intern for Second Chance Justice, said they will continue to support Allen in any way they can.
“We have stood with William, and we will continue to stand with him,” Boudrieau said.
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