Christopher Havens is an American mathematics researcher and co-founder of the Prison Mathematics Project, a nonprofit that connects incarcerated people with math-learning resources and mentors. While serving a 25-year prison sentence for murder, he taught himself advanced mathematics and contributed to published research on continued fractions, a topic in number theory.
Havens’s story brings together academic work, education in prison, and criminal accountability. His research and efforts to support other learners have received attention, but those achievements do not erase the serious harm caused by his crime. Havens has spoken publicly about taking responsibility for what he did. This biography covers his education, research, work with the Prison Mathematics Project, and the status of his clemency petition, based on available reporting and primary sources.
Christopher Havens at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Christopher R. Havens; also published as Christopher Robin Havens |
| Nationality | American |
| Field | Mathematics, particularly continued fractions and number theory |
| Education | Self-taught in advanced mathematics; pursued college-level study while incarcerated |
| Organization | Co-founder of the Prison Mathematics Project |
| Research affiliation | His professional biography lists a research associate role with UCLA |
| Sentence | 25 years for a 2010 murder conviction, according to reporting |
| Notable research | Work on continued fractions published in Research in Number Theory |
| Clemency board recommendation | Washington State Clemency and Pardons Board recommended commutation in 2025 |
| Governor’s decision | Washington Governor Bob Ferguson denied the commutation request in January 2026 |
| Current status | Remains incarcerated, according to 2026 reporting |
| Publicly verified birth date | Not established in the sources cited here |
Early life and turning toward mathematics
Havens has described leaving high school before graduating and struggling with addiction and instability in his life before incarceration. In accounts of his background, he has also said that he was drawn to mathematics as a child but did not initially pursue it through formal schooling. His later education began under difficult circumstances, without the normal access to classrooms, libraries, or digital resources. Scientific American
After being placed in solitary confinement in prison, Havens began working on puzzles and basic mathematics to occupy his time. He moved from Sudoku and algebra exercises to trigonometry, calculus, and then number theory. In a 2023 profile, Scientific American described how he progressed by studying textbooks and working through problems without the tools that researchers usually rely on. Scientific American
This was not a conventional academic path. Havens did not begin with a university mathematics degree or a research position. Instead, he learned through books, correspondence, practice, and guidance from mathematicians willing to respond to his work. Over time, his self-study became research—an effort to answer questions that were new to him and, in some cases, contribute to published mathematics.
Conviction and accountability
In 2010, Havens was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Public reports describe the conviction as involving the killing of a person he knew. The details of the crime are not necessary to explain his mathematics work, but the conviction is an essential part of his biography and should not be obscured.
Havens has spoken about the person who was killed and acknowledged the lasting impact of his actions. In a 2025 interview published by the Prison Mathematics Project, he said that clemency was not the reason he began changing his life; he described personal change and accountability as ongoing work. Prison Mathematics Project interview
The circumstances of his life and education may help explain how his path changed, but they do not lessen the loss experienced by the victim’s loved ones. A fair account can recognize Havens’s academic contributions while also preserving that distinction.
Learning advanced mathematics in prison
Havens’s study grew from foundational exercises into advanced mathematics. He became interested in number theory and continued fractions, mathematical expressions that represent numbers through sequences of integers. Continued fractions have applications in approximation, algebra, and other areas of mathematics.
Working in prison presented practical challenges. At different times, he had limited access to computers and relied on paper, books, and written correspondence. Research that might be explored with code or specialized software had to be developed using whatever tools were available. This made communication with outside mathematicians especially important: mentors could help him understand existing literature, test ideas, and refine proofs.
A turning point came when Havens wrote to seek help with a mathematical problem. His work attracted attention from researchers, including mathematicians in Italy. They began corresponding with him, offering problems and feedback. The exchange developed into collaborative research. Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics
His experience demonstrates that research can begin outside traditional university settings, though it also shows how much support matters. Access to books, feedback, and subject expertise helped Havens move from independent study toward work that could be evaluated by other mathematicians.
Published research
In 2020, Havens co-authored a paper on continued fractions published in the journal Research in Number Theory. The paper studied how certain linear fractional transformations affect continued fractions and their convergents. It was written with Stefano Barbero, Umberto Cerruti, and Nadir Murru. Research paper
The work was notable not simply because it was completed in prison, but because it was published in a peer-reviewed mathematics journal. Peer review involves other specialists assessing a paper’s methods and claims before or after publication, depending on the journal’s process. Havens’s contribution was part of a collaboration, and the other authors’ expertise helped shape and verify the research.
He continued to publish on the subject. His professional website lists later work, including papers with Carsten Elsner in 2023, as well as a book on continued fractions announced for publication in 2025. Christopher R. Havens publications
Continued fractions can look abstract, but they are useful for understanding how rational numbers approximate irrational numbers. Researchers study patterns in these expansions and how transformations change them. Havens’s work contributed to this technical area of number theory, rather than being a general-interest claim that he “solved” mathematics or invented the entire field.
Founding the Prison Mathematics Project
Havens co-founded the Prison Mathematics Project (PMP) to help other incarcerated people study mathematics. The organization connects learners with volunteer mentors, books, and structured educational support. Havens has described the project as growing from an in-prison math group and library into a wider network serving people at multiple facilities.
The project’s model addresses an access problem. People in prison often have limited internet, restricted technology, and fewer opportunities to take conventional courses. Mentorship can help a learner move past a difficult concept, while a community of students can make sustained study less isolating. PMP works to create those connections and to support math learning at different levels. Prison Mathematics Project
The project also shows how Havens’s personal study became a form of service. He has said that math gave him purpose and a way to build a different identity. Through PMP, he helped other learners pursue their own goals instead of studying alone. The project is not a substitute for broader educational access or reentry support, but it offers a specific resource for people interested in mathematics.
Some learners connected through PMP have pursued advanced work with outside mentors. The organization has shared examples of incarcerated students developing research projects and corresponding with mathematicians. These outcomes are individual and should not be framed as automatic results of joining the program. They do, however, show how access to mentorship can create a route into serious academic study.
Research work and professional affiliations
Havens’s academic profile lists a research associate affiliation with UCLA, where his work has included cryptography and continued fractions. His public research page identifies his prison placement and research interests, while also listing publications and projects. Christopher R. Havens’s research page
His circumstances are unusual: he has carried out scholarly work while incarcerated, with communication and technology constrained by prison rules. The Prison Mathematics Project has described the limitations on his ability to use computers and communicate with collaborators. The degree of access may change over time, so details about his current tools should be checked against recent sources.
His research interests connect number theory with cryptography. Cryptography uses mathematical techniques to protect information and communications. Continued fractions are one of several mathematical subjects that can help researchers understand numerical structure and approximation. Havens’s stated interest in cryptography grew from his broader study of number theory.
Clemency petition and current status
In 2025, Havens petitioned for a commutation of his sentence. The Washington State Clemency and Pardons Board voted unanimously to recommend that the governor commute the sentence. The board’s recommendation was not itself a release decision; the governor had the authority to accept or deny it. Washington State Clemency and Pardons Board hearing
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson denied the commutation request in January 2026. The state’s clemency status table lists the governor’s denial dated January 7, 2026. Washington Governor’s Office status table Reporting later in 2026 said Havens remained incarcerated and continued his work with mathematics and the Prison Mathematics Project. FLUX
The decision renewed public discussion about rehabilitation, public safety, the role of clemency, and how authorities evaluate change after a serious crime. These are questions on which people may disagree. In describing the case, it is important to distinguish the board’s recommendation from the governor’s final decision and to avoid presenting either as proof that the victim’s loss has been repaired.
Why his story has drawn attention
Havens’s story has attracted attention because it combines unusual mathematical work with a personal history of serious harm and incarceration. The academic element is clear: he studied advanced topics, collaborated with mathematicians, and co-authored peer-reviewed research. The justice element is also clear: he was convicted of murder and remains in prison after his commutation request was denied.
That combination can invite oversimplified narratives. One version might portray him only as a criminal; another might treat his academic accomplishments as canceling the crime. Neither is complete. His published work can be recognized on its own merits, while the conviction, victim, and ongoing consequences remain part of the record.
His work also raises broader questions about education in prison. What resources should incarcerated learners have? How can people pursue serious study with limited technology? Can educational programs support rehabilitation while also acknowledging the harm caused by crime? The Prison Mathematics Project provides one example of how mentors and learning materials can help people study in a difficult environment, but it does not settle those wider policy questions.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Christopher Havens?
Christopher Havens is a mathematics researcher and co-founder of the Prison Mathematics Project. He has co-authored research on continued fractions while incarcerated.
What mathematics does Christopher Havens study?
His research includes continued fractions, number theory, and interests in cryptography. His publication record includes a 2020 paper on continued fractions and later collaborative work. Publications
What is the Prison Mathematics Project?
The Prison Mathematics Project connects incarcerated learners with math resources and volunteer mentors. It grew from a math community Havens helped establish inside prison.
What was Christopher Havens convicted of?
He was convicted of second-degree murder in Washington State and received a 25-year sentence. Reporting describes the crime as having occurred in 2010.
Was Christopher Havens granted clemency?
No. Washington’s Clemency and Pardons Board recommended commutation in 2025, but Governor Bob Ferguson denied the request in January 2026. Washington status table
Is Christopher Havens still in prison?
Recent 2026 reporting says he remains incarcerated. His status can change, so readers should check current state records for the latest information.
Has Christopher Havens published academic research?
Yes. He co-authored work published in Research in Number Theory in 2020 and has additional publications listed on his research page. Research paper
Is Christopher Havens affiliated with UCLA?
His research profile lists a staff research associate affiliation with UCLA. For current details about the position, consult his own research page or the relevant institution.
Final Word
Christopher Havens’s biography includes both academic achievement and serious criminal responsibility. While serving a 25-year sentence for murder, he taught himself advanced mathematics, co-authored research on continued fractions, and helped establish the Prison Mathematics Project to support other incarcerated learners. His work demonstrates what sustained study and mentorship can make possible, even in a highly restricted environment.
His clemency request received a unanimous recommendation from Washington’s board but was denied by the governor in January 2026. That outcome, like his research, is part of the public record. A careful account can recognize Havens’s scholarly contributions and support for math education while remaining clear that those accomplishments do not undo the crime or its impact on the victim’s loved ones.