Phillip Villanueva

Home After 21 Years

“Every day I wake up, and I know that the opposite of positive is just not an option.”

At work as a forklift operator, Phillip Villanueva is known for his big smile and for being the busybody who is always on the move. Outside work, Phillip is calm and introspective, frequenting his local park after work to meditate and read scripture. Carving out a couple of hours each day to be with himself in nature is incredibly important to Phillip, especially after serving 21 years of a 25-year-to-life sentence for robbery. 

Over a year ago, Phillip frequented the prison library often behind bars. One day in the library, he came across a resource on Prosecutor-Initiated Resentencing – and soon realized his case met all of the criteria. 

Equipped with experience training dogs as service animals for veterans, a long list of rehabilitative programs, and recommendation letters from corrections officers and counselors behind him, Phillip wrote to his District Attorney. Much to his surprise, Phillip received a PIR packet to continue the process. In the six months that followed, his life changed entirely when the San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office recommended Phillip’s release to the court. Phillip came home in January 2022.

Today, Phillip enjoys work, riding his bike, rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and spending time with his wife. He leans into his faith for guidance and actively seeks opportunities to mentor youth or people struggling with addiction. After being a dog trainer in prison with Paws For Life K9 Rescue to support people with PTSD, Phillip is excited to soon get his very own dog with his wife.