“I had been locked down for a while,” says Larry Brent, who was among EJP’s first cohort of students at the Danville prison in 2008. When EJP came into the prison, he “signed right up.” It was a “mind blowing experience,” he recalls. He first took classes in history and religion.  

In December 2018, a decade later, he was released and quickly turned to building a new life for himself. Today, he is a football coach, art instructor, and owns several rental properties. He gained many of the tools he has used from his time with EJP. 

“We had access to a lot of different people,” Larry reflected, “instructors from different parts of the world. That opened my mind. I was prepared to return to society, with technology, with information, and understanding of how to research things. I was able to adjust and figure stuff out.” 

Six months after returning home, Larry obtained his commercial driver’s license and became a truck driver. Because of his background, he was deemed ineligible for hazmat endorsement to his CDL, but he applied for a waiver, passed the test, and became certified to transport hazardous materials.  

In July 2021, Larry was released early from parole. That same month he purchased his first rental property, a two-flat unit in the South Shore area of Chicago. In 2022, he got married.  

Larry and his wife purchased a house in Dyer, Indiana, just across the state line, in 2024. He has also invested in other rental properties and stays busy maintaining them.  

Additionally, Larry has been an assistant coach for a youth league football team in South Holland, Illinois. He has been sidelined with knee surgery, but continues to attend practices and games. He enjoys mentoring the youth.  

Lastly, Larry continues to pursue his interest in art which was reinvigorated while he was incarcerated. He and his sister Liz Brent host “Paint & Sip” paint parties. You can see some of Larry’s drawings at his Instagram page. 

We are happy to see Larry thriving out in the world — continue to shine!