SOLUTIONS FROM THE YARD

Today on Solutions from the Yard, we had an insightful discussion with Norman Ramel, a dedicated advocate for criminal justice reform. Norman has spent his career defending those accused at various judicial levels and pushing for much-needed changes in our justice system. His work with the Clemency Project 2014 helped secure commutations for nearly 900 individuals. It was an honor to hear his pers...

The discussion continues with Dietrich Trent sharing his initial skepticism and negative perception of religious individuals in prison, viewing them as arrogant. Over time, as he matured, he realized the importance of having a compass in life and the fragility of faith in the prison environment. He describes how some people misuse faith for personal gain, which can shake others' faith. Trent empha...

In this episode of "Solutions from the Yard," Michael Dickerson-El, Charles Hopkins, and Dietrich Trent discuss the role of faith in prison and its impact on reintegration into society. They emphasize how faith provides a foundation and solace for many incarcerated individuals, helping them cope with their circumstances and envision a better future. Each host shares personal experiences of how the...

The Solutions from the Yard podcast discusses the crucial role of SNAP benefits in aiding formerly incarcerated individuals to reintegrate into society. They highlight the financial challenges these individuals face, emphasizing that SNAP benefits can significantly ease their transition by alleviating the cost of food. The hosts argue that denying these benefits contributes to recidivism by forcin...

Join us on "Solutions from the Yard" as we examine the systemic factors contributing to the miseducation and incarceration of our youth. Our hosts provide a thorough analysis of how historical injustices and current policies perpetuate these issues. We also discuss the importance of parental involvement and the need for community-based solutions to break these cycles. This episode offers valuable...

Welcome to another episode of "Solutions from the Yard," where we discuss the miseducation of our youth and its impact on society. Join hosts Dietrich Trent, Michael Dickerson-El, and Charles Hopkins as they explore the barriers faced by underserved communities and the effects of youth incarceration. In today's discussion, we delve deep into the alarming rates of youth incarceration and its detrim...

Join us on "Solutions from the Yard" as we explore the roles of different institutions in addressing community challenges. With guest Darren Stephenson, Sr., we critically examine the effectiveness of churches, schools, and community programs in curbing violence and supporting youth. This episode sheds light on the need for community responsibility and systemic change to create a safer, more suppo...

On this episode of "Solutions from the Yard," we discuss the critical issue of youth violence and its impact on our communities. Michael Dickerson-El. and Charles Hopkins are joined by youth counselor Darren Stephenson Sr., who offers his professional insights into the causes and solutions for this troubling trend. We explore the role of family, community, education, and systemic changes needed to...

Reentry isn't just about finding a job—it's about building a life. In our latest "Solutions from the Yard" episode, Michael Dickerson-El and his co-hosts, Charles Hopkins, and Dietrich Trent discuss how they navigated their way back into society. From the importance of patience to leveraging community resources, they share essential do's and don'ts for anyone reintegrating.

Michael Dickerson-El, is joined with Charles Hopkins, and Dietrich Trent as they discuss strategies for reintegrating into society after prison. They emphasize personal responsibility, patience, and discipline. Sharing their own experiences, they highlight the need for having a flexible plan and effectively using available resources. The episode concludes by underscoring the positive impact former...

Hosts Dietrich Trent and co-hosts Charles Hopkins and Michael Dickerson-El continue their conversation with guest Alyce McFarland about her journey from trauma to triumph, building on the discussion from part 1. She emphasizes the importance of family support, education, and community in her recovery and personal growth. The podcast highlights her efforts to transform her experiences into positive...

Host Dietrich Trent is joined with co-host Charles Hopkins and Michael Dickerson-El, along with their guest Alyce McFarland, as they explore the challenges of reintegration after incarceration. Alyce shares her struggle with addiction while raising her daughter and pursuing education, emphasizing her journey of healing and transformation. She explains breaking cycles of trauma and connecting with...

This episode of Solutions from the Yard" addresses reentry challenges after incarceration, including housing, employment, and inadequate prison medical care. Hosts Charles Hopkins, Michael Dickerson-El, and Dietrich Trent share personal experiences on topics of health issues and highlight how discrimination and the parole system complicate reintegration.

Join us for an insightful discussion with the participants of 'Unsilencing Their Voices.' Learn from Dietrich Trent, Charles Hopkins, Donnell Felder, and Michael Dickerson-El as they share their powerful stories of reentry and resilience. Former CSOSA Director Nancy Ware facilitates this eye-opening panel. Discover how Voices for a Second Chance (VSC) is a trailblazer in supporting returning citiz...

Today's episode of "Solutions from the Yard" features Darren Stephenson, Sr., who talks about his father's 50-year incarceration and the crucial role of family support in maintaining hope. Despite the challenges, Darren's unwavering support has kept his father motivated. This conversation sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of maintaining family ties from behind bars and the importance o...

In the latest episode of "Solutions from the Yard," hosts Charles Hopkins and Michael Dickerson explore the impact of incarceration on fatherhood. Through personal anecdotes and special guest Darren Stephenson, Sr.'s story, they discuss how imprisoned fathers navigate their relationships with their children. This episode sheds light on the emotional complexities and long-term effects on families,...

In this episode, Michael Dickerson-El, Dietrich Trent, and Charles Hopkins discuss who is responsible for blocking vital penal code reforms and emphasize the need for citizens to hold elected officials accountable. They highlight the importance of understanding political hierarchies and laws to effectively exercise voting rights. The hosts call for increased awareness and education on political pr...

The Senate rejected the DC Crime Bill, which aimed to modernize the century-old criminal code and reduce mass incarceration. Listen to Michael Dickerson-El, Dietrich Trent, and Charles Hopkins discuss the influence of non-local politicians, pandemic law enforcement practices, and prison quotas. Despite strong local support, Congress retains final authority over DC's laws, hindering efforts to impl...

In this episode, Charles Hopkins and Michael Dickerson-El are joined by Charles Russell from Washington, D.C., whose sentence was overturned by President Obama in 2016. Together they discuss structural racism in the prison system, Mr. Russell’s accomplishments, and the challenges he faced upon reentry into society. 

The episode opens with discussing job placement and workforce development programs reducing recidivism. The hosts discuss Title 7’s lack of protection for ex-offenders, how they’re unprepared for reentry, and the challenges presented to them. Discrimination is also discussed, as well as the intentionality of pushing returning citizens out into their communities unprepared as a means to continue th...

This episode finds the gentlemen discussing job placement post-incarceration and the “stipend chase.” Michael Dickerson-El leads this conversation while the hosts discuss career training versus job programs that don’t have longevity. The positions generally offered are at or below minimum wage. The hosts discuss how these jobs can cause returning citizens to adopt a "settle for less lifestyle." Di...

This episode discusses the DC Criminal Code and how it has not been fully updated since 1901, 123 years ago. As of 2023, the DC City Council has reviewed the DC Criminal Code and is pushing the Secure DC Omnibus update to the code through the DC legislative process as of the airing of this episode. The hosts discuss the hazards of the DC Criminal Code being over 100 years old, the overt racism of...

On this episode the hosts, led by Charles Hopkins, discuss the culture of poverty as a newly released individual. They discuss the offshoots of poverty such as incarceration, recidivism, and disruptions to mental health. The gentlemen go on to discuss the cost of living in Washington, DC, and the difficulty returning citizens face in gaining financial progress and/or job stability to obtain adequa...

The episode picks up by asking who profits from homelessness after incarceration and defining homelessness. The hosts begin to discuss the DC budget allocations for homelessness and how effective these allocations are in ceasing the problem. Discussions go further to question where the disconnect is with housing provisions in DC and reentry organizations, pre-release solutions to homelessness, and...

The hosts, led by Michael Dickerson-El, discuss homelessness after reentry leading to recidivism. They begin by discussing their own journeys with returning home and finding adequate housing.  The concept of “criminalizing poverty/homelessness” and statistics relating to this concept are discussed as well. This episode is part 1 of 2.