TLDR: David "Dave Rich" Richardson Jr. is sharing his personal journey, seeking a letter of recommendation to support his commutation request. Convicted in 2010 for his involvement in a shootout, he was sentenced to life plus 224 years. Despite this, Dave transformed his life in prison, adopting a motto of "Always Getting Better" (AGB). He pursued education, earning degrees and certifications, and co-founded the Brothers' HEARTS Initiative (BHI), a mentoring program aimed at reducing recidivism. Dave's story is one of redemption, leadership, and commitment to positive change, both for himself and others around him. He now aspires to become an educator and leader in his community.

 

I update this petition with immense gratitude for those who have already signed, shared, and contributed to the 207 signatures so far. I also write to share this message from dave himself:

"My Story, Thus Far

My name is David Richardson Jr., but most know me as dave rich. I have asked you to consider signing this petition. Having asked this of you, I dare not proceed without sharing with you my story, what led me to prison, the changes I have made since then and my ambitions moving forward. 

On July 4 2010, as some were celebrating the inception of our country, I was being processed into jail for my participation in a shoot-out that left an innocent bystander mortally wounded and others in the line of fire. For the role I played in this incident I was sentenced to Life plus 224 years. The judge presiding over my case testified that in all his 30 years practicing law he’d never seen an act more deserving of life imprisonment. In support of my consecutive sentencing the State argued to the appeals court that “the defendant will always pose a threat to society.” And on a separate appeal my trial judge described this incident as being a “precursor of the mass shootings” that have since plagued our nation. 

However, at my last court hearing (Aug. 2023), this same trial judge had tears streaming down his eyes as he lifted himself from the bench to extend his hand for me to shake. “You are exactly what we need in society today,” he said. I left the courtroom that day having made a believer out of one of the toughest judges in Shelby County. But it took some time for me to become this person. 

Early into my sentence I determined to daily strive to better myself and those around me, this became my reason for living. From this resolve came the motto I live by and the brand I hope to launch into a nonprofit organization: AGB (Always Getting Better).

I spent my first few years in prison at WTSP. At that time, it was said to be the worst prison in the state. And the things I saw bore witness to this. Yet, even here, I found men of character that I could look up to and aspire to be like. Men who, despite serving a sentence that defied human living capacity, were able to make each day meaningful and impactful. I learned from these men how to do time productively.

I arrived at Turney Center in February 2016. Since that time, I have taken advantage of every program that has piqued my interests, and have even started a few of my own. I joined the THEI College program that same year (I graduated with honors from Nashville State in 2019; and am projected to earn my Bachelors’ degree from Belmont University in the spring of 2025). For two years I worked in the wood plant, where I used the money earned to invest in myself by paying for college correspondence courses from Adam State University. 

Realizing my potential to influence the younger incarcerated population in a positive way, I requested a job drop from the wood plant to work on the rec. yard, in doing so, I intended to make myself available to those on the compound who needed an example of somebody striving for more despite having virtually no hope of getting out of prison. These ambitions merged with others with similar goals, and from them the Brothers’ HEARTS Initiative (BHI) was born. I was selected by our Lifers’ Club (which I cofound and currently sit as a board member on) to lead this mentoring effort in reaching its objective of “eradicating recidivism from within.” For the work done with BHI, I have been interviewed by TDOC in a piece that later aired on NPR,[1] and have been invited to speak at National Conferences.[2]

My passion is to become an educator. However, being married to an educator, I realize that teachers are woefully under paid. So, to have a way of supporting my family once released, I have invested in fitness education. Recognizing my zeal for fitness, I was selected to be apart of TCIX’s inaugural International Sports Science Association (ISSA) personal trainer program. After completing this first class, I sought to add more to my credentials but was hindered due to lack of funds. 

As it so happened, I had previously submitted an essay to a Business Ethics writing competition held on Belmont University’s campus. In a year that saw a record submission of essays, I came in first place winning $1,000.[3] I took  these earnings and reinvested in my fitness education by purchasing several additional personal trainer courses. Having earned numerous more ISSA certifications[4], I am now what is considered a Master-level personal trainer. 

I use the skills I have learned daily to help others find their passion. As a personal trainer, I design individualized fitness programs for numerous persons on the compound and in the free-world; three days a week I host trauma-informed bootcamps on the rec. yard; and, as a certified yoga instructor, occasionally, I have a number of my peers join me for yoga sessions. As a major in Business Administration, I lead the mentoring efforts of BHI in utilizing evidence-based practices as we engage with our younger peers. As a scholar, I use my voice and writings to draw attention to circumstances that induce criminality rather than deter it, for these efforts, I am a several times published author, paid public speaker and contest winner. 

I have sought to be a leader in the communities I belong to. I was elected into leadership positions by my peers to serve as one of our Lifers’ Club’s board members and to serve as pod representative on the prison’s Inmate Council. I have volunteer for service as a member of the College program’s student council. And daily, I use my influence to be a voice of reason and a beckon of hope to those I live around.

If this were not enough, I ask that you ask of me from your peers and coworkers. I have striven to develop a good rapport with all. I labor to be an example to those that look up to me. I am a mentor, a fitness coach, an entrepreneur, an author, an influencer, but I am nothing if I am not a friend. I can be stubborn at times, preoccupied, busied with too much and thin of patience. But I am nothing if not responsive. I hear, I reflect, I make the necessary adjustments to change for the better. This is the leadership example I set for my younger brothers and to my peers who believe in my vision. This is what my trial judge saw in me at my last court hearing. And this is what I hope all will come to associate with dave rich. 

It will be an uphill battle to convince the parole board and the governor to grant my commutation request, I know. But with your support, I believe that hill can be scaled. If you support this effort, I ask that you take some time to put that support in writing. 

Thank you for your time.

Indomitably,

For direct correspondence, please send mail to the below stated address. Otherwise, I can be reached at davidarichardson90@gmail.com. 

 

David ‘dave rich’ Richardson Jr.

TOMIS # 00520117

TCIX-Main

1499 R.W. Moore Mem. Hwy.

Only TN, 37140-4050

 

 
[1] “Inside one Tennessee prison, men with life sentences mentor first-timers on navigating life behind bars and after release,” NPR. March 2023. int. Paige Pfleger
[2] Rise Up Conference, the Future of Higher Education in Prison. “Reducing Recidivism from Within with Incarcerated-person-led Mentoring.” September 2023.
[3]Jasmine Simmons, “Hope to Reweave the Social Fabric: Currently Incarcerated Students Find Instruction, Inclusion and Empowerment in Belmont’s Prison Education Program.” March 21, 2024. https://www.belmont.edu/stories/articles/2024/turney-center-student-essayist-and-dr-fi sher.html 
[4] These certifications include: Certified Personal Trainer; CPR and AED training; Transformation Specialist; Fitness Coach; Certified Yoga Instructor; Elite Trainer; Nutritionist; Strength and Condition Instructor; Group Exercise Instructor; and Master Trainer.