By Eastern University . . . In 2008, David Garlock ’17 found himself in a hopeless situation. He had served over 8 years of a 25 year sentence in prison, alongside his brother, for taking the life of their abuser after many years of abuse.

A client of the Equal Justice Initiative, David found himself in conversation with Bryan Stevenson ’81, PhD ’99 (HD). Bryan gave David hope for his future and encouraged him to apply to Eastern University to start fresh. David was inspired to consider how his passion for educating the next generation on rehabilitation could lead to advocacy for an effective and equitable justice system. In 2014, David’s parole was moved from Alabama to Pennsylvania, and his journey at Eastern began. . . .

From that point on, David has been an amazing example of how the past does not define the future.

This year, David has been named Eastern’s Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year. David Garlock is a successful returning citizen, reentry professional, and criminal justice reform advocate. He has made an impact working on campaigns to abolish death by incarceration, create geriatric parole programs, and reinstitute Pell Grant funding for incarcerated students. He serves as a board member for the National Association for Rational Sex Offense Laws, the Pennsylvania Association for Rational Sex Offense Laws, the Pennsylvania Reentry Council, and the Eastern University Prison Education Program.

Read the complete piece here at Eastern University.

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