About David
David Sell is a 49 year old husband, father and grandfather. He has served 27 years of a 41 year to life sentence. David is currently housed at Wende Correctional facility where he works as an hospice aide and mental health peer supporter, a peer supporter is an incarcerated individual who is trained to help others in crisis. David has also worked with at risk youth and served as President for the Hispanics in Progress inmate organization. He has secured several job titles as a welders helper and other vocational trades (Electrical Services, Custodial Maintenance and General Business). He is a published writer with publications in the NYU Review of Law & Social Change and for the Vera Institute of Justice. David is certified by the Department of Health as a HIV/AIDS peer counselor. He actively participates in self help programs such as A.A. and N.A. and completed A.R.T, A.V.P. and Phase one. He also serves as facilitator for his faith group. Recently, David has enrolled in College and completed two pre-collegiate course.
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David's passion is to mentor at-risk youth. He is the founder of the non profit organization CCFW (Change Comes From Within). Through his organization and with the assistance of the community, he has organized several anti gun violence events and back pack drives. He continues to give back to the community and remains active in the lives of youths. "Mentoring our youths has been my passion and commitment for the past 12 years. It's important for me to find solutions to the problems that I once contributed to."
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What is Clemency?
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Clemency is a way for incarcerated individuals to apply for their sentence to be reduced, or to receive a pardon. It is one of many ways to respond to mass incarceration in the United States.
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David explains: "In 2019, CUNY Law School filed a Clemency petition on my behalf with the Governor's office. It still remains pending as I approach my 28th year of incarceration. New York state offers very few options for early release except for Clemency. This campaign isn't about me being more than it is about my family and an opportunity to embrace my responsibilities as a husband, son, father, and grandfather. It will also present a new chapter of atonement, by allowing me to contribute to my community in a positive way. I will always have a debt to pay to society and my path of redemption is to continue being of service to others. Hope can come in many forms, for myself and family, our hope is Clemency. I thank you for your support."
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The Governor of New York has the power to grant clemency to any person who has been convicted of a crime under New York state law. ​
If David does not receive clemency this year, he will not be eligible for parole until he is in his 60s.
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Family Support
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"February 3, 1997 my children's father was arrested. I met my children's father and future husband at 14 years old. We were so young. David, is not the same person he was at the age of 14,16 or 20. ​
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I need my husband, if there was a simpler way of saying it I would. But it is that simple. I need him, just those three words. I need him so bad now. I need him in every possible way as a son, father, husband and grandfather. He is needed emotionally, financially and spiritually in our lives. I have given my all as a single parent for 26 years. I cannot be a dad and grandfather to our children. I am simply Mom!
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I'm not truly aware of the effects that it may have had on our children, not having their father in their household growing up. They may have been teased by other children with both parents in the household. I had to be a fierce mother to those parents whose children were being mean to my children. I made my family as normal as possible. So when my children wanted to be in sports and cheerleading, I was there for it all I wanted their lives to be as normal as we could make it. Not being able to be there for your family is the worst part of prison. He wonders if the family is OK and if they need you. Not to be able to see your son in the football uniforms and take your daughter to father daughter dances, not to see her in her prom dress, not to be able to walk your daughter down the aisle at her wedding.. Even our grandchildren being born, we are on number 11 now... all of this and more have been lived through pictures. We are fighting hard to get my husband home so he will not be left out of any more family events and be in the family photos and to be always there.
I know David had to pay his debt to society however, how much does he/we have to pay? How much punishment is enough? I would like to ask that you please have compassion for my family.I am saying this to beg you please commute my husbands sentence, Please! David has redeemed himself by changing for the better. He has become a solution to the problem his once contributed to. I need my husband home with our family." - Kisha, David's wife
Kisha, David's wife
