Alvin Hayes

Home After 22 Years

As an adult, Alvin Hayes was struggling to make sense of his childhood trauma and the addiction that ensued to help him cope. The abuse he and his siblings endured left an indelible mark and paved the way for his crimes. In 1998, Alvin was convicted of two counts of vehicle theft, one count of first degree burglary, and one count of reckless driving. As a “Third Striker,” Mr. Hayes was sentenced to a total term of 36 years-to-life in state prison.

While awaiting sentencing, Mr. Hayes was diagnosed with PTSD. Unfamiliar with the term, he began researching PTSD and learned that “...in order for me to begin to heal from this disorder I have to go back to the beginning of the problems.” And this is what Mr. Hayes did. Committed to healing and reforming himself, Mr. Hayes set out on a journey of self-discovery and confronted the pain he had put out of mind for so long. Equipped with the tools and skills he developed through a range of self-help programs while incarcerated, he has come out the other side. 

On July 19, 2021, at the recommendation of Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen, Mr. Hayes was resentenced to time served. He served 22 years and had 14 years to life remaining on his sentence. With this newfound understanding of himself, and having worked incredibly hard to overcome the default behaviors of his past, Mr. Hayes remains sober, holds a stable job, and has reconnected with his local community.