Dog In The Yard

Tiffany “T.J.” Vulcain survived more than just a prison sentence — she endured the foster care system, the juvenile justice system, and federal incarceration. But her story isn’t about what broke her. It’s about what she built after. Now an author, speaker, and force for transformation, T.J. serves as the Program Director of the Women’s Rising Workforce Development program at the Fortune Society,...

Ruben Wills was once a rising political force in Southeast Queens—serving as a New York City Council Member for District 28—until everything changed. In 2014, he was arrested and convicted on charges he insisted were false. He spent over three years behind bars. But in 2020, Ruben’s fight for justice paid off when the New York State Appellate Division overturned his conviction, ruling that he had...

Shannon Holmes didn’t enter the literary world through classrooms or creative writing programs—he wrote his first novel from a prison cell. Born and raised in the Bronx, Shannon served five years for drug-related charges. While incarcerated, he picked up a pen for the first time—not to write a letter home, but to write what would become his breakout novel: B-More Careful. With no formal training a...

Dennis A. Woodbine’s life was stolen by the system—but he didn’t let that define him. In 1997, Dennis was wrongfully convicted of a murder he did not commit. He spent 22 years inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility, fighting not only for his freedom, but for his identity, his purpose, and ultimately, his peace. In 2019, after more than two decades behind bars, Dennis was granted executive clemency...

Keonnie Raheem’s journey is the definition of second chances. Hailing from the Forest Houses in the Bronx, Keonnie was charged as a juvenile with multiple homicides in Baltimore and sentenced to two life terms. After serving 31 years in prison, his sentence was reduced under juvenile resentencing, and on March 23, 2023, he walked free. His reentry wasn’t easy, but Keonnie leaned into every resourc...

Jermaine “Bang” Archer’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. After spending 22 years behind bars, Jermaine didn’t just survive—he built a legacy. In 2005, while incarcerated at Sing Sing, he watched his first Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) production, Breaking the Mummy’s Code. That moment would plant a seed that would grow into something far bigger than he could’ve imagined. Jermaine...

Before the world knew him as Opressure—a respected Hip-Hop artist, journalist, and radio voice—he was 94-B-0730, a young man navigating the harsh realities of Buffalo, NY. At just 17 years old, Omar was sentenced to 8 to 24 years for manslaughter, the result of growing up in survival mode and making choices that led him down a dangerous path. But what the system didn’t expect was how he would tran...

Jason Abreu, born and raised in Dyckman Projects in Uptown Manhattan, opens up about his powerful story of growth, setbacks, and redemption. After being incarcerated twice for drug-related offenses, Jason realized during his second time behind bars that he had a bigger purpose to fulfill. While incarcerated, Jason found his vision and created Made Up North, a movement dedicated to helping formerly...

DeShawn Kenner was just 22 years old when he was sentenced to life in prison for murder and attempted murder. He would go on to spend the next 20 years behind bars—but instead of letting time break him, DeShawn used it to transform himself from the inside out. In this powerful episode of Dog in the Yard, DeShawn opens up about his journey—from the streets of Mount Vernon to the harsh reality of pr...

Frans Sital was just 17 years old when he was wrongfully convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to 51 years to life. He ended up serving over 31 years behind bars before finally being released in August 2023. In this episode of Dog in the Yard, Frans shares his raw and emotional journey—from surviving the prison system to reclaiming his life and freedom. Now home and fighting for others s...

In this powerful episode of Dog In The Yard, we sit down with Kevin “Renny” Smith, a Brooklyn native who spent 27 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit. Wrongfully convicted in 1987, Renny found himself serving a life sentence—and it was in the darkest moments of his incarceration that he made a vow to change the direction of his life. Renny opens up about his transformation from a young...

Derrick Hamilton was sentenced to 25 years to life for a crime he didn’t commit, spending 21 years behind bars before finally proving his innocence. While incarcerated, he became a self-taught legal expert, dedicating himself to learning the law and using his knowledge to fight not only for his own freedom but also for others who had been wrongfully convicted. His relentless pursuit of justice led...

From the streets of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, to the music industry, Bang Em Up has lived through it all. Facing the harsh realities of the streets, he was sentenced to 12 years behind bars for 4 attempted murders. But prison didn’t define him—it became the place where he plotted his comeback. Now, 9 years free, Bang Em Up has reinvented himself as a music executive and entrepreneur, building a powerhou...

Edwin Raymond is not just a former NYPD lieutenant—he’s a whistleblower, civil rights activist, and author who put everything on the line to expose the injustices within the system. Born and raised in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, to Haitian immigrant parents, Edwin joined the NYPD in 2008 with a mission: to bring real change from within. But what he encountered was a system built on racial profiling,...

In this episode of Dog In The Yard, we sit down with Leon “LB” Brown, a Yonkers native with Jamaican roots who transformed his life after years behind bars. At 18 years old, LB was convicted in Virginia and sentenced to 10 years and 9 months. After his release in 2011, he was reincarcerated in 2012 on a firearm charge, serving additional time before maxing out in 2020. Determined to never go back,...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Musa Major, a Newark native whose story is a testament to resilience, redemption, and the power of music. Growing up in a single-parent household, Musa faced countless challenges, but music always served as his escape. His passion for lyricism was undeniable, yet life took a drastic turn during his college years, when personal struggles led to h...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Swerve, a man whose life journey is a powerful testament to resilience, creativity, and transformation. Born in Lower Manhattan in 1989, Swerve was raised between South Yonkers and Avenue A in Manhattan, navigating a childhood marked by struggle, survival, and the influence of activism. His mother, an HIV/AIDS advocate, battled her own hardships...

Sunny Gibbs, a Brooklyn native, grew up in Crown Heights before moving to Bed-Stuy after his release from DFY at 16. His first incarceration was at 11 years old for robbery, and by 13, he had turned to armed robberies after losing his mother. As a founding member of the Hop Out Boyz, Sunny was convicted in 2004 of multiple armed robberies and sentenced to 9 years. After serving 8 years, he was re-...

In this episode of Dog In The Yard we sit down with Jose Perez, a poet, actor, and community leader whose powerful journey is a testament to resilience and transformation. Born and raised in Queens, Jose spent his childhood in foster care, group homes, and juvenile institutions before being incarcerated at just 16 years old, sentenced to 20 years to life for Murder 2 Robbery 1. After serving 20 ye...

In this powerful episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Trevell Coleman, better known as G. Dep, the Harlem-born rapper who rose to fame with Bad Boy Records and his hit album Child of the Ghetto. Known for his raw lyricism and storytelling, G. Dep's music resonated with fans through tracks like "Special Delivery" and "Let's Get It." Beyond his musical success, G. Dep’s story is one of redem...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard Knick Gunz opens up about his journey through the justice system and his path to redemption. From his first experience at Spofford as a juvenile to serving time in Mohawk, Midstate, and Barehill, Knick faced numerous challenges, including convictions for kidnapping, gun possession, and attempted murder. Since his release in 2013, Knick has turned his life around....

In this inspiring episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Tony "BX Tone" Windley, a man whose story of resilience and redemption proves that transformation is possible, no matter the past. Convicted on multiple conspiracy charges, Tone spent 20 years in federal prison. Instead of allowing his circumstances to define him, he focused on personal growth, education, and self-improvement behind ba...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard, Hector "Suave" Gonzalez shares his powerful story of transformation. Born and raised in East New York, Brooklyn, Hector was drawn to the street life at a young age. By 16, he was incarcerated for murder and witness tampering, ultimately serving 28 years, 6 months, and 5 days behind bars. During his time in prison, Hector refused to let his circumstances define h...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard, Marc "Dinero" Rowley shares his incredible journey from the streets to redemption. Born to immigrant parents and raised in Queens, Brooklyn, and Teaneck, NJ, Marc faced the challenges of poverty and turned to selling weed and guns to survive. After being arrested for a gun charge and a homicide in 2009, Marc was sentenced to 38 years. But instead of giving up, h...

Join us on a powerful journey with Demetrius Wardsworth, a former gangster turned advocate for prison reform. His story will inspire you to rethink your life and the justice system. Tune in to the Dog in the Yard Podcast for more impactful conversations. In this episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Demetrius Wardsworth, a man whose journey of resilience and transformation proves that it’s...