Joaquin Galvan

Home After 8 Years

Joaquin was born into a broken home, with very young parents who were struggling to make ends meet. The family dealt with homelessness, displacement, and financial insecurity. Eventually, their mother left when Joaquin was just five years old. Under his father’s roof, Joaquin did not find stability either. In fifth grade, Joaquin’s teacher reported that he was a “fantastic fifth grader who is always enthusiastic, positive, and polite. He has the desire to do well. He would benefit from support at home.” Unfortunately, Joaquin never got that support. Without it, Joaquin was a ward of the court by 11th grade.

At 17 years old, Joaquin was convicted as an adult for car-jacking with a firearm enhancement, gang crimes, evading and reckless driving. Joaquin was sentenced to 19 years and 8 months in prison. The offenses that Joaquin committed were serious. However, the victim of the carjacking did not sustain any serious injuries, nor was anyone physically harmed by his reckless driving. Under the law today, Joaquin would have been charged as a juvenile, and would have been released from custody before age 25.

Since entering prison, Joaquin deeply committed himself to self-improvement. At 17, he renounced a gang affiliation and earned his GED. He worked in prison as an ADA caregiver to disabled inmates, a barber, a teacher’s aide, and an optician. Today, Joaquin describes his younger self as immature, impulsive, and without hope or guidance. “My beliefs were that if I did not commit the crime I would be looked at as weak and less of a man,” Joaquin says. “Being incarcerated for over seven years has taught me that my belief system was warped.”

On September 19, 2022, at the recommendation of Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, the court resentenced Joaquin to a total term of 12 years. Mr. Galvan was 26 years old at the time of his release, having served 8 years and with 11 years remaining on his sentence. Today, he is reunited with his loving grandfather and siblings, working a stable job, and excited to give back to his community through youth mentorship.