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David Carrillo Highlight
Through education, through change—through real change—there’s opportunity.
About David
- I entered the prison system at age 19 with a life sentence.
- Earning my first certificate in paralegal studies sparked a pride I’d never felt before and lit a fire in me to keep learning.
- I found purpose and developed a sense of leadership teaching inside prison and building reentry programs.
- With family support and scholarships, I was able to continue my education while in prison.
- I earned my master's degree in business while incarcerated, despite no access to classrooms or computers, and handwrote my papers during COVID lockdowns.
- I became the first currently incarcerated person in the U.S. hired to teach college courses to others serving time.
- After being granted clemency, I walked out of prison—just months later, I walked back in as a professor.
- Now I teach microeconomics to students across multiple prisons, Zooming in from my home office and proving that change is real.