Christopher Havens was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder in Washington state. During his incarceration, he discovered a deep passion for mathematics. Starting with little formal training, he initially requested math textbooks through a prison education program. Over time, he began corresponding with professional mathematicians outside the prison, who recognized his raw talent and provided him with more advanced materials.
Through dedication and persistence, Havens taught himself complex concepts in number theory, focusing especially on continued fractions. His insights eventually led to original contributions in the field, particularly in solving problems related to quadratic irrationals—an area dating back to Euclid and other ancient mathematicians. Despite working with limited resources, he managed to conduct research rigorous enough to be recognized by academics.
In 2020, Havens’ work was formally published in the Journal of Number Theory, making him one of the few incarcerated individuals to contribute original research at such a high mathematical level. His story has since been highlighted as a remarkable example of self-education, intellectual perseverance, and the power of human potential, even in the harshest circumstances. It also sparked discussions about rehabilitation, prison education, and the untapped talents that may exist behind prison walls.