David Safavian

On Friday, I had the privilege of sharing lunch with David Safavian, a longtime leader in the movement for criminal justice reform. I first met David several years ago, when we both participated on a panel discussion sentencing reform and improving outcomes for justice-impacted peopleat Georgetown Law School.

Recently, while scrolling through X, I came across one of David’s posts. He had written about the importance of merit-based programs in criminal justice reform, and I appreciated both his ideas as well as his support for the movement. His perspective prompted me to send him a direct message, letting him know that I would be traveling to the D.C. area. I asked if he would be open to meeting for lunch, and he agreed.

A Shared Mission

Our conversation reminded me why grassroots advocacy matters. David is both mission-driven and well connected with leaders across the country. He has dedicated himself to advancing reform in practical ways that make a difference. Over lunch, we spoke about his work, and he expressed real interest in what we are building at Prison Professors.

When I described our dashboards and leaderboards—tools that track and showcase the progress of people inside—David immediately understood the value. He saw how these records of accountability could help us advocate for policies that reward preparation and incentivize excellence.

The Power of Documentation

At Prison Professors, we believe that success does not happen by accident. It requires intentional effort and visible proof. That’s why we encourage every person in prison to:

• Open a profile on PrisonProfessors.org.
• Document progress through biographies, journals, book reports, and release plans.
• Earn points for each entry, building a transparent record of growth.

These points appear on leaderboards, which allow us to demonstrate to policymakers and community stakeholders that people inside are working to prepare for law-abiding, contributing lives after prison. The data becomes evidence: proof that people are striving for excellence, and that our system should incentivize that pursuit.

Growing the Movement

I shared with David that my goal is to grow participation to 10,000 profiles. He immediately offered to review our site and even recommended several influential people who may want to support our mission. His encouragement is exactly what grassroots advocacy is all about—building connections, sharing innovative solutions, and inviting others to help carry the message forward.

Every time I travel, I look for opportunities to connect with leaders like David Safavian. Change requires coalitions, and coalitions begin with conversations. Together, step by step, we can expand opportunities for people in prison to show they are extraordinary and compelling, and we can push for reforms that reward merit with new pathways to liberty.

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