From Life Without Parole to Life With Purpose

by David Sheriff

Early Life and Family

I was born on February 25, 1969, to Ruth and Roger Sheriff. I soon lost my mother at the young age of two. My father was only twenty years old himself and had just lost the love of his young life. Things were quite hectic, to say the least. My younger brother and I were given to my grandmother.

That was hard in itself, as my grandmother had to quit working to care for us. I was two and my brother Ray was only one year old. But she was willing so that we would not be separated by the system.

We moved into government apartments (the projects), because my grandmother no longer had much money. Our whole lives had just changed. At the ages of two and one we were too young to understand, but we would soon learn that the world was a hard place. Still, we lived in a house filled with the love of Christ. My grandmother had no formal schooling, but she knew that a relationship with the Lord was a must. She took us to church and sent us to school.

Youth and Early Struggles

Growing up poor, things were tight. A few years later, when I went to school, I was introduced to drugs—both using and selling. Things moved very fast. I quit school in junior high, moving from job to job before eventually getting work in the cotton mill.

I married the girl I thought I would be with for the rest of my life. I worked, went home, and back to work. Before long, my wife was going to have our little girl. We were not prepared for that, so I took on another job. That led me to using stronger drugs to be able to work all of the extra days. Soon I had moved to cocaine, and off to the races I went.

First Incarceration

Before long I was in trouble with the law and on the way to prison. I spent the next nineteen years incarcerated. After being released on parole, it did not take long before I was back in trouble with the law.

By that time, all of my family had passed away. I went right back to using drugs, and in no time at all I was back on my way to prison. This time I received a sentence of life without parole. To say that things were looking bleak would have been an understatement.

Dark Times in Prison

I was sent to Kirkland for R&E, then off to Lee Correctional, at that time the worst prison in the state. I spent several years there, right back into drugs, hustling, and prison games. Before long I was back in trouble and on lock-up, where I stayed for a year before being transferred to Lieber Correctional. Again, I fell into drugs and the prison lifestyle.

I allowed myself to become part of the prison life, and one night I almost took another person’s life. Certain prison yards can drag you down into ways that will cost you your life. In that moment, I cried out to the Lord and asked Him to come into my life.

A Turning Point

Afterwards, I knew I was not the same person. I moved into the character dorm, stayed about a week, and then transferred to Perry Correctional. I started going to chapel services and began searching for answers in the Word.

A guy from the dorm told me about the Columbia International University (CIU) Prison Initiative Program. I had never thought about college—nobody in my family had gone. I came to prison with only a sixth-grade education, though I did get my GED inside.

I prayed about it and decided to apply. To my surprise, I was accepted. Two years later, I graduated. I returned to Perry and began working in the chapel. Someone asked me if I wanted to continue my education, but I said I couldn’t afford it. He told me, “If the Lord calls you to it, He will bring you through it.”

Sure enough, doors opened. My bachelor’s program was paid in full, and in about three years I graduated with honors. A few years later, the Lord opened the door again, and I am now six classes into my Master’s program. Talk about God making a way out of no way!

Ministry and Leadership

Today I am allowed to preach on a six-week cycle. I teach a character class and the Fire Bible class. I am the crisis rep for the lower yard, a leader in the ProClaim ministry, the chaplain for the praise team, and the leader of our nightly prayer group, which is now in its seventh year, spanning three different yards.

I am part of the CIU ministry team here at Tyger River Correctional Institution. That is just a small glimpse into all that the Lord is doing in my life.

Thirty-four years in prison, and many long nights, but the Lord has brought me through. Thank you.

Closing Prayer

Father, I come to you in agreement with these prayers as I know that you are here and that you do hear and answer our prayer, I ask that you will continue your hedge of protection over this family, in Jesus mighty name I do pray.