Episode #156 w/ T.J. Vulcain

Qwell grew up in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn — where street smarts met survival. At 22, he began his career in law enforcement, working at MDC Brooklyn and Rikers Island, eventually earning a spot in the high-stakes Emergency Services Unit (ESU). That experience gave him a firsthand look at the violence, corruption, and trauma inside the walls. Now a police officer in a major metropolitan city, Qwell’s impact is undeniable — earning “Officer of the Month” four times for his proactive, community-driven work. What makes him unique is his dual perspective: someone who’s worked inside the system and now walks the beat with a deeper understanding of both sides of the law. In this powerful episode, Qwell opens up about his time behind the walls, how being a Black officer comes with its own set of challenges, and why he joined Season 9 of “60 Days In” to expose the truths about jail conditions from the inside.

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, where she helps justice-impacted women rebuild their lives through healing, skill-building, and community. T.J. was sentenced to nearly 5 years in federal prison for credit card fraud. Since coming home, she’s been laser-focused on changing the narrative for parents, youth, and families impacted by incarceration. She created Parents Day at the Fortune Society, an annual event bringing visibility to the challenges of parenting while incarcerated and navigating reentry. You may have seen her featured in the Amazon Prime documentary “Preschool to Prison”, where she speaks truth to the systemic failures that push Black and Brown youth into the justice system. In this episode of Dog in the Yard, she shares the emotional and honest journey of surviving the system, and using her pain to fuel purpose. This one’s for every mother, every fighter, every survivor. T.J.’s voice is real—and it’s necessary.

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 been denied a fair trial. In 2021, he was officially exonerated—cleared of all charges. But Ruben’s story isn’t just about the system failing him—it’s about what he chose to do after. He returned home not defeated, but more determined than ever. In this episode of Dog in the Yard, Ruben shares his powerful journey—from the South Jamaica Houses in Queens, through political office, prison, exoneration, and now back on the campaign trail with his eyes on re-election. He’s the founder of Policy, Inc., a nonprofit fighting for criminal justice reform, and he’s deeply committed to mentoring youth, testifying before lawmakers, and reshaping the system that once tried to bury him. This isn’t just about redemption—it’s about leadership, legacy, and never letting your circumstances define your impact.

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 and only a GED, Shannon tapped into something real, raw, and revolutionary. That debut sold over 500,000 copies, landed him a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster, and helped establish the entire street lit genre. He followed up with bestsellers like Bad Girlz, Never Go Home Again, and made history by becoming the first street lit author with a hardcover release. In this episode of Dog in the Yard, Shannon opens up about writing from behind the wall, signing major publishing deals, and using literature to flip his narrative. From incarceration to inspiration, this is a story about hustle, redemption, and the power of storytelling.

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 by the Governor of New York. He walked out of prison a free man—but his work was just beginning.  Instead of choosing bitterness, Dennis chose service. He returned to his community in Poughkeepsie, NY and created something powerful: the Finish Strong Wellness Center, Inc. A free after-school program that gives local youth what the system too often fails to provide—support, structure, and a safe place to grow. For many of these young people, Dennis is more than a mentor—he’s proof that redemption is real and that your circumstances don’t have to define your future. Since his release, Dennis has committed himself to community work, youth advocacy, and family. He’s not just healing from what was taken—he’s building something lasting, brick by brick. His journey is about turning pain into purpose and injustice into impact. In this powerful episode of Dog in the Yard, Dennis sits down with us to talk about what it feels like to carry the weight of a wrongful conviction, the process of rebuilding your life from the ground up, and what it truly means to finish strong. This is more than just a redemption story—this is a blueprint for how to survive, evolve, and serve. Whether you’ve experienced the system firsthand or you just believe in the power of second chances, Dennis’s story will stay with you long after the credits roll. Tap in. Listen. Learn. Be moved.

Wilfredo Laracuente is the definition of redemption with purpose. Once incarcerated, Wilfredo earned his bachelor’s degree from Mercy College in 2019—while still behind bars—and has since committed his life to creating real change for those impacted by the justice system.In this episode of Dog in the Yard, Wilfredo shares how his personal transformation led him to become one of today’s most passionate advocates for criminal justice reform. As a member of the DANY Reentry Advisory Board, a Workshop Readiness Instructor for Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, and a Teaching Assistant for Columbia University’s Prison Education Program, Wilfredo is using every tool at his disposal to uplift and empower returning citizens.He speaks openly about his support for the Second Look Act, his work with Columbia’s Beyond the Bars program, and how he’s helping to reshape the narrative around incarceration, especially for women—the fastest-growing prison population. From mentorship to trauma-informed advocacy, Wilfredo is building bridges for those society often forgets.This episode is about impact, growth, and the power of second chances. If you believe in redemption, you’ll want to hear this.

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 resource he could find—participating in “Lifting Stigma” in Maryland for mental‑health support, then moving back to New York under parole. He’s built a life brick by brick: earning OSHA certification through BroConnect, working in HVAC and at Verizon buildings, and meeting weekly with a therapist to stay grounded. He’s even raising funds to reunite with family, writing his memoir “25 of Life,” and launching a clothing line to amplify his message.  In this episode of Dog in the Yard, Keonnie opens up about growing up in the Bronx, surviving three decades behind bars, and turning trauma into purpose. Tune in to hear how he’s rewriting his story—one day, one step, one dream at a time.

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 went on to join RTA, act in and manage productions, chair the Steering Committee, and earn his master’s degree and paralegal certification while inside. He also became the first person to emcee a TedX event inside a NY State prison, and even gave his own Ted Talk from behind the wall. Just five weeks after his release, Jermaine was already working with the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County and later joined the Schusterman Family Philanthropy team, supporting criminal justice reform through impactful grantmaking. And in 2024, everything came full circle—his wrongful conviction was overturned, and by 2025, the RTA production that started it all inspired the Oscar-nominated film Sing Sing. Today, Jermaine stands as the Executive Director of RTA, leading the same organization that helped transform his life. This episode is about power, purpose, and proving that no system can define your future. Tap in now.