Hello, my name is David Alan Knighton, and I am reaching out to ask for your support. I have a story of redemption that I believe is worth sharing with the world. You will never hear me lament the perceived unfairness of the judicial system or cite my youthful mindset at the time of my crime. Instead, I want to acknowledge simply that I made grievous errors when I was 24 years old. Not a moment goes by without regret for my actions.

I take full responsibility for my role in the crimes I committed. I could have chosen a different path—I could have chosen to walk away or set a better example for the others involved. The mistakes I made, and their consequences, are ones I live with and own every day. 

I have now served 17, approaching 18, years of a 54-year and 7-month sentence for three armed robberies. I understand the gravity of my crimes and do not seek to minimize their impact. However, I believe that the length of my sentence is disproportionate to the offenses committed and that I have since grown and changed significantly during my time in prison. The person I am today is very different from the individual I was at the time of these crimes. I am committed to making amends and proving that I am no longer the person who made those terrible decisions. 

During my time in incarceration, I have engaged in several programs aimed at fostering both personal success and the ability to help others. Through this journey, I have discovered a deep passion for raising awareness about mental health and substance use, as well as assisting those struggling with these issues. 

To start, I earned my GED to better understand and benefit from self-help programs. Then, I completed the “Thinking for a Change” program, which helped me transform my previously toxic thought patterns. Reprogramming my thought process was a crucial step in my growth. 
The “Advanced Anger Management” course taught me to better understand my emotions and manage risky thoughts, while the “Dialogue Practitioner” program improved my ability to engage in healthy, mindful conversations—learning to listen genuinely rather than just waiting to respond. 
The “Victim Impact” class was particularly profound. It made me confront the immense trauma I had inflicted not only on my victims but also on those around me. The experience left me feeling deeply ashamed of the pain I had caused and underscored the gravity of my actions. 

Through my hard work and the support of the Virginia Department of Corrections, I have transformed my thinking, perception, and reality. The Department noticed these positive changes, which led to me being selected to train and become certified as a Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS). For those unfamiliar with the role, a PRS is someone with personal experience in overcoming mental illness and/or addiction to alcohol or other drugs. They provide one-on-one, strengths-based support to others in recovery. PRSs work in a variety of settings, including community health and mental health centers, behavioral health programs, substance use treatment facilities, peer-run organizations, emergency rooms, courts, homeless shelters, and outreach programs. In my case, I am one of a select few who provide this service inside a prison. 

Through my training, I have developed essential communication skills, learned how to build resilience, and mastered the ability to hold individuals in unconditional high regard while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Additionally, I’ve acquired strategies for managing challenging situations and gained a comprehensive understanding of the behavioral health system in Virginia. I have gained skills and insights that aren’t just making a real and immediate impact for those with whom I am currently incarcerated but are also transferable to and will make a real impact on individuals once I am released. 
With this new mindset and skillset, I am seeking your support to help me secure a second chance to contribute positively to the community at large. My post-release goal is to address the mental health and substance use issues that often lead individuals into the prison system, thereby diverting those individuals from ever entering the system in the first place. If you are interested in discussing my journey further, I am available for interviews.

David Knighton #1205191 Lawrenceville Correctional Center, 1607 Planters Rd, Lawrenceville, VA 23868. You can also contact me online through www.jpay.com

Thank you for your time and consideration.