When Donald Hinton left federal prison, he had one goal in mind. He wanted to change the course of his life and his family’s future. Hinton grew up in Alton, Illinois, and his father went to prison when he was five years old. He said his mom was engaged in dangerous activities that would put their lives at risk. His early years were unstable, and for a time Hinton and his sister were raised by their grandmother. But like his father before him, Hinton would eventually find himself behind bars. He was sentenced to eight years in federal prison.
While in prison, he worked for UNICOR. It's a federal program where inmates make things like furniture and uniforms for government use. He also ran a small store inside the prison where he sold snacks and hygiene items to other inmates.
In an interview with the Investor Fuel podcast, Hinton said that a visit from his young son during his incarceration became the moment that changed everything. He realized that his son was visiting him in the same type of place where he had once visited his own father.
“My son came to visit me in the same prison where I visited my dad,” Hinton said. “I broke down and cried. I knew if I didn’t change, my son would end up right here too.”
That experience made him determined to “break the cycle” of incarceration in his family.
After being released from FCI Oxford in Wisconsin, Hinton relocated to Davenport, Iowa, where he started rebuilding his life. He had no car and no steady job, but he had $10,000 saved from his UNICOR wages and his small store. In about four months, he used his $10,000 to buy his first property. It was a duplex and he lived in one unit while renting out the other.
That purchase became the foundation for his new life. Hinton began learning everything he could about real estate. He learned how to manage tenants, handle repairs, and reinvest profits. According to a 2024 report by KWQC TV6 News, Hinton acquired 15 properties about two years after his release while still on probation. As of November 2025, Hinton says he owns 19 properties. As his portfolio grew, Hinton began thinking beyond himself. He wanted to help others who were coming out of prison and facing the same barriers he once did.
He founded From Prison to Properties, an organization and educational platform that teaches people how to invest in real estate and achieve financial independence after incarceration. The program is based on the same principles he followed. They are financial discipline, strategic investing, and a commitment to personal growth.
He also wrote a book, From Prison to Properties, and it outlined his journey and offered a step-by-step guide to others who want to rebuild their lives.
"When I was sentenced to spend eight years of my life in prison, I was not aware that it would change the course of my life in this way — that I would find something that would enable me to do better once I was released," Hinton wrote in his book.
Today, Hinton speaks publicly about his story and shares his message through his Facebook and Instagram pages. He mentors formerly incarcerated individuals and young people, encouraging them to believe that they can succeed no matter where they start.
He tells audiences that success is built on consistency and the willingness to learn. His journey shows that discipline, education, and the right mindset can open doors even after incarceration. In an interview with KWQC TV6 News, Hinton said,
"I had to find a way to make sure my son never had to experience this."
Donald Hinton's story is about more than making money and owning a lot of properties. It's about redemption and the power of choice. He grew up in a family affected by incarceration. He went to prison himself. But through determination, focus, and hard work, he changed his path and his son's future forever.