Former Prisoner to Speak About the Criminal Justice System

After serving more than 13 years in prison in Alabama, David Garlock managed to turn his life around and start a career in the criminal justice system. Garlock is now an advocate for criminal justice reform and the program director for a halfway house working to help facilitate re-entry in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Delaware Valley University’s criminal justice program will host a public event featuring Garlock on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the Life Sciences Building auditorium. The event is open to the community at no cost and guests do not need to register in advance. 

Garlock suffered abuse growing up and he and his brother received 25-year sentences after taking the life of their abuser. A client of Equal Justice Initiative, Garlock was released on parole in 2013 after serving more than 13 years and pursuing several educational opportunities while incarcerated. He earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern University and is now the Lancaster program director for New Person Ministries, a re-entry program for returning citizens. Garlock serves on the Board of the Lancaster County Re-Entry Management Organization and is also a member of the Pennsylvania Re-Entry Council, a state-wide coalition of county re-entry organizations. He enjoys educating the next generation of criminal justice professionals on rehabilitation and advocating in various spheres for an effective and equitable justice system. 

“My time in prison changed the whole trajectory of my life,” said Garlock. “I used it as a time to get an education and then in 2008, Bryan Stevenson started working with my brother and me. Equal Justice Initiative and Bryan helped win parole for both my brother and me.”

His presentation will cover the chapters of his life including the abuse he suffered, his personal growth and education in prison, working with Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative, going to Eastern University and, the work he is doing now as a re-entry professional and advocate. 

The presentation is open to all majors as well as to guests from the surrounding community.