Dog In The Yard

At just 18 years old, Luis Pichardo, better known as Author Lou Diamond, was sentenced to 20 years to life for murder. After experiencing juvenile detention and entering the prison system, Lou turned toward education, reading, and writing. During his incarceration, he wrote three books, including Washington Heights, discovering a way to express himself and share his experiences through literature....

CA$H Carter, better known as Mookie Loc SoButta, grew up facing instability, foster care, gang involvement, and repeated incarceration.  Representing RichBlocc, CA$H Carter became involved with the Harlem Mafia Crips at a young age. His journey took him through juvenile detention and eventually prison, including three years in New York for a gun charge and an additional year in New Jersey for a fr...

One decision changed the direction of Khallid Barber’s life. Born in the Bronx, New York, Khallid served three years incarcerated on a gun charge. Since returning home, he has dedicated himself to helping others make better choices and successfully navigate reentry.  Khallid is the author of One Decision and has spoken across New York State on justice reform and reentry. He also teaches technology...

Darrin “Dee” Dean is a co-founder of Ruff Ryders Entertainment, the legendary family-run company that helped shape an entire era of hip-hop. Alongside his siblings Joaquin “Waah” Dean and Chivon Dean, Dee helped build Ruff Ryders into a powerhouse associated with some of hip-hop's most influential artists, including DMX, The LOX, Eve, Drag-On and Swizz Beatz. Ruff Ryders represented something bigg...

Lefty Gunplay's rise through West Coast hip-hop came after years of circumstances that could have permanently taken him in another direction. Raised in Baldwin Park, California, Lefty has spoken openly about entering gang life at a young age and experiencing juvenile detention before eventually spending years within California's prison system, including Pelican Bay and Corcoran. During his final i...

Dog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades 🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard 📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast 📩 Booking & Inquiries: therealdogintheyard@gmail.com 🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

For more than two decades, Daniel “OP” Sullivan has been fighting to prove his innocence and obtain what he believes should be an independent review of a series of arrests and encounters involving members of the Yonkers Police Department. His fight intensified in June 2003, when OP says he was assaulted by an officer at a courthouse and filed an Internal Affairs complaint afterward. Just eight day...

Kimon "Pop" Walker's journey is a testament to the power of second chances and personal transformation. Raised in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood, Pop served more than five years in prison after convictions that changed the trajectory of his life. When he returned home, he made a commitment to never waste his second chance. He began rebuilding through internships, including an opportunity connect...

Tanka "Tank" Asongna-Morfaw has spent nearly a decade helping shape one of America's fastest-growing industries.  Originally from the Bronx, New York, Tank moved to Miami after earning a degree in Health Science from Long Island University. While pursuing a healthcare career, he discovered an opportunity in the cannabis industry that would redefine his future. Tank played an instrumental role in o...

Anthony H. Baptiste, known as Tone, transformed one of life's greatest setbacks into a story of resilience and redemption. Born in Queens, New York, and raised between Far Rockaway and Suffolk County, Tone spent years working behind the scenes in New York City's nightlife, helping coordinate events featuring some of hip-hop's biggest artists, including Nas, Fabolous, Jadakiss, Future, Fetty Wap, F...

Erico Montalvo's life took a dramatic turn in July 2015 while celebrating his 18th birthday in Providence, Rhode Island. According to Erico, he was robbed and assaulted that night. During the incident, while defending himself, another man lost his life. He was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder, beginning an eight-and-a-half-year legal battle before ultimately accepting a p...

Pistol Po is a rapper from the East Side of Chicago whose journey is a story of accountability, resilience, and reinvention. Raised on 79th Street, Pistol Po's life changed after being convicted in a federal conspiracy and drug trafficking case that resulted in a 30-month prison sentence. After returning home, he focused his energy on music and building a better future. His dedication eventually p...

Prince Dre is an artist from Chicago whose life changed after being accused in a high-profile firearms case that brought national attention and controversy. According to Prince Dre, he was accused of possessing eight firearms that he maintains were never in his possession. After being arrested in Las Vegas, he spent time incarcerated and says he was wrongfully held even after bonding out, while al...

Simon “Fresh” Busano Jr., known as LoMein Fresh, is proof that a person's past does not have to define their future. A Brooklyn native, fashion designer, and founder of LoMein Collection LLC, Fresh spent 10 years incarcerated before returning home with a vision to rebuild his life through entrepreneurship and creativity. Founded in 2011, LoMein Collection has become more than a clothing brand—it r...

OG Sharieff spent 39 years incarcerated before finally returning home on August 16, 2025. Raised between Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Projects and Harlem’s 140th Street and Convent Avenue, OG Sharieff grew up during a different era of New York City, surrounded by influential figures and a rapidly changing culture. After serving nearly four decades on a murder and weapons case, he now faces the challenge...

Elliott Carterr is using journalism to expose the realities of the justice system from the inside out. Born and raised in Staten Island, Elliott previously served 36 months in state prison for a home invasion case an experience that completely reshaped his outlook on life and justice. After returning home, he founded LFTG Radio, The Gutter Report, and The Gutter Justice Project, creating platforms...

Kia has transformed her life into a mission rooted in advocacy, empowerment, and change.  Born and raised in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood, Kia became involved in the streets at a young age, leading to multiple incarcerations beginning in her teens. While her environment shaped many of her early decisions, her story did not end there. Since returning home in 2012, Kia has rebuilt her life with...

Eric T. Bryant, known as Peso’s, knows what it means to lose years and fight to rebuild. Born in Brooklyn and raised between New York and Jersey City, Peso’s life changed in 2003 after facing an attempted murder charge that ultimately led him into the federal system in 2004.  After spending nearly a decade incarcerated, he returned home in 2013 with a different mindset and a new purpose. He first...

DJ Hercules is a Puerto Rican DJ from the Polo Grounds Projects in Harlem whose life was shaped by loss, survival, and the power of music. After losing both parents and growing up in group homes throughout New York City, DJ Hercules found purpose in music and built a name for himself through resilience and relentless drive. What began in survival became a career that led him to share stages with a...

Kevin “Kareem” Brooks is a researcher and advocate who spent over 24 years incarcerated and now focuses on examining the long-term impact of prison on individuals and communities. While serving his sentence, Kareem pursued higher education and earned a degree in Social Sciences, using that foundation to critically analyze the systems that shaped his experience. Today, his work centers on what he c...

David Ruiz, known as Trust Mula, is a Brooklyn native from the Marlboro Projects whose life reflects the consequences of early decisions and the power of transformation. Choosing the streets at just 13 years old, he spent over 16½ years incarcerated, separated from his family and caught in a cycle of prison and street life. After his release in July 2024, Trust Mula made a commitment to change his...

Jahliek Tyson, known as “The Paperwork God,” is an entrepreneur, speaker, and creator who transformed 16 years of incarceration into a mission to educate and empower others. After early involvement in the streets and multiple arrests starting at age 16, Jahliek served over a decade in state prison before later returning on a federal gun charge. During his time at FCI Allenwood, he made a decision...

Samuel “Baby Sam” Edmonson is a Brooklyn native whose case has drawn national attention in discussions surrounding wrongful convictions, witness testimony, and the criminal justice system. Convicted in 1990 and sentenced to 75 years to life, Baby Sam spent 33 years in prison before his conviction was vacated in 2022 following witness recantations and questions about the reliability of the original...

Edward L. “Boo” Andrews is a sociologist, author, lecturer, and urban trauma specialist from the Red Hook Projects in Brooklyn, New York. After being sentenced to 33 years in prison and serving 22 years for murder, Boo returned home determined to transform his experience into purpose. Today he is the Founder and CEO of the Second Chance Re-Entry Initiative Program (SCRIP), an organization dedicate...

Smurkz grew up in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood on the Darkside. At just 19 years old, he was arrested and sentenced to 40 years to life for murder. During his time inside the New York State prison system, Smurkz was transferred through multiple facilities including Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, Upstate’s SHU, Attica, and Groveland. While fighting his original case, he also caught...