Straight out of Harlem’s 140th Street, Claysaun Jones lived the streets that shaped countless young men before him. Convicted of attempted murder and robbery, he spent 24 years incarcerated paying the price of a life defined by survival and split-second decisions.

But the time inside didn’t break him. Instead, it became the foundation for transformation. Today, Claysaun works as a Housing Coordinator for the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), helping formerly incarcerated men and women secure stable housing as they return home. His mission is clear: break the cycle of reentry struggles and give people the stability they need to succeed.

This episode of Dog in the Yard dives into Claysaun’s journey from Harlem to the yard, through decades of incarceration, and now into community leadership. His story is one of resilience, redemption, and rewriting your ending no matter where you start.