David Richard Carrillo

David R. Carrillo, MBA, is an author, educator, consultant, speaker, and advocate for criminal justice reform. After serving more than 30 years in prison, including a life-without-parole sentence that was later commuted, he transformed his life through education, personal growth, and a commitment to helping others navigate the criminal legal system.

While incarcerated, David earned multiple college degrees, including an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Legal Studies, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He made history as the first incarcerated person in the United States to be hired as a college professor, teaching college courses to incarcerated students.

Today, David is the founder of David R. Carrillo Consulting, LLC, where he provides sentencing consultation, expert witness services, and educational programming informed by lived experience and academic training. He serves as a paralegal with the Korey Wise Innocence Project and as Lead Facilitator for Legislation Inside, a groundbreaking initiative that brings incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals into the policymaking process.

David is the author of Kiko: From Life Without Parole to Life with Purpose and Inside the Sentence. Through his writing, teaching, and advocacy, he seeks to bridge the gap between the criminal legal system and the people it affects, while promoting education, accountability, second chances, and informed decision-making.

When he is not writing, teaching, or consulting, David speaks nationally on criminal justice reform, higher education in prison, leadership, resilience, and personal transformation.