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How A WHITE CRIP Gang Member Survived America's DEADLIEST Prisons, Escaped A Life Sentence

The Connect: With Johnny Mitchell

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From the streets of Lancaster to the heart of South Central LA, Tyler Corcoran made the unthinkable choice at 14- he ran away from home and joined the 120 Raymond Crips — as a white gang member in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America.

By 17, he was sentenced to 80 years to life under California's Three Strikes Law. What followed was a harrowing journey through Level 4 maximum-security prisons, prison riots, near-death experiences, and intense racial politics. But in the darkest place imaginable, Tyler found light. He dropped out of the gang, transformed his mindset, and became a voice of empathy, growth, and redemption from within the system.

Now free, Tyler shares his powerful story of survival, change, and hope — and what it really takes to make it out alive.

WATCH UNTIL THE END to hear:
-What it’s like being a white Crip in prison
-How prison politics nearly cost him his life
-Why he chose to drop out and pursue inner peace
-How he beat a life sentence and rebuilt his life
-The emotional reunion with his family and his mission now

Go Support Tyler!
IG: Instagram: tycorcoran

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@theconnectpod

00:00:00 The Life of Tyler Corcoran: From Gang Member to Transformation
00:02:40 Reflection On Doing Life In Prison
00:08:59 Initiation into the Raymond Avenue Crips
00:17:53 The Impact of Crystal Meth in Gang Culture
00:26:40 Escaping a Crime Scene: A Real-Life Experience
00:28:15 A Word From Our Sponsors
00:31:54 Getting Accepted By The Neighborhood
00:35:21 Heist Preparation and Execution
00:44:23 The Challenges of Leaving a Gang
00:52:50 Arrest and Initial Charges
01:01:33 Violence and Corruption in LA County Jail
01:10:15 Transferring to the Mega Prison Built by Schwarzenegger
01:21:45 Color-Coded Prison Segregation
01:31:12 Challenges of Gang Life and Legal Battles
01:36:27 The Future of Technological Abundance
01:46:38 The Cost of Oppression on Humanity
01:56:03 Prison Politics and Racial Dynamics
02:04:30 Inside the Short Corridor: Life and Politics
02:13:11 Journey into Art and Tattooing
02:21:53 Discovering Purpose Beyond Art
02:31:30 Surviving Prison: Life and Hustle Behind Bars
02:39:37 Navigating Prison Life and Identity
02:48:24 The Journey to Authentic Relationships
02:58:03 A Life Sentence Reversed: A Transformational Court Speech
03:06:40 A Night of Emotional Reflection
03:16:29 Embracing Impulsivity and Trusting Yourself
03:24:01 Outro and Patreon Details

20 Comments

@theconnectpod Creator 1 year ago (edited) Pinned

This is a Hall-of-Fame contender. Big ups to Tyler for sharing his saga. Thank you for watching and don't forget to leave a like and a comment!

@russellboston 1 year ago (edited)

I taught art, empathy and resilience for a nonprofit in several California prisons. Tyler was one of my students back in 2019. He stood out as an incredible person and artist. (One of the art lessons I taught was basic self portrait drawing. Tyler politely asked if he could draw in his own style, as opposed to the template style I was teaching. I said yes, and he effortlessly drew an incredible pen and ink self portrait of himself as an eagle, to symbolically represent his mind’s ability to soar out of the hell hole he was in.)
When Tyler learned I lived in Orange County, he asked if I was familiar with Golden West. I asked, “Golden West College? Yes, I took a couple of art classes there.” He said, “I’ll be in an art exhibit at Golden West next year, you should go.” I asked, “You’ll be there?” Tyler laughed and said, “I won’t be there, but my art will be.” It was an exhibit called 8 1/2 x 11 and featured prison art. The title came from the size of the copy paper the inmates were allowed to draw on. I met Tyler’s family at that event and I was stunned to hear how he’d been sentenced to nearly 200 years in prison at such a young age.
Tyler was 34, already 17 years into his double life sentence. He completely earned and deserved an early release. I just read where some people in the comments are questioning Tyler’s honesty and credibility. Just because something seems unbelievable doesn’t mean it’s not true. That’s what makes his story so amazing.

@BreachFocus 1 year ago

Maan that’s my bro. I met him when I went to a level 2. He ain’t do nothin but embrace me tell me when I was wrong share his life story . Help me stay out of trouble. I looked up to bro. Still do he’s a dope artist an stand up man. That’s my bro on my momma. Proud of bro fr . To go through all that an to have the heart an genuiness he’s had a still have is truly remarkable 💯

@Meat.Shank1 1 year ago

This dude knows the floors and modules of LA county he knows the YA spots and camps. If u ever been there u remember this shit homie. Yall trippin homeboy was a real Loc from the 100s

@crayzo3rc 1 year ago (edited)

That's the homie Young Y...He was really from the set... And he was with the business when he was from the set too...Shout out to him for gaining his freedom and getting his life back on track!!! ®️©️

@tommysalami3087 1 year ago

Tyler is a prime example of how the journey of life can take anyone of us from one end of the spectrum to the other. He really made the best of it, and continues to do so. Rock on Tyler, thanks for sharing.

@KStone-YMG 1 year ago

Salute to you Y. This K-Stone from Young Mafia…. I definitely know where you came from and I respect the growth! Stay Humble homie

@bluewater_1142 1 year ago

Finally , Johnny has learned to let the guest speak and see where the convo goes ! He would always cut them off to try and skip directly to buzz topics that drive clips. Yes , cut them off to keep on topic. But not to just get the “ content “. And more times than not people will talk way more if left to ramble.

As far as the actors , liars and so forth. That’s hard to vet out. It’s nice to see unknown names that have not been passed around the industry. But that means dealing with questionable people.

@johnnymkool2893 1 year ago

Bro you leveled up.. contesting , not interrupting.. respect

@PhilProfEdwards 1 year ago

Tyler was in my Philosophy class that I taught at in Centinela State Prison. Great student and very humble. Very glad that he is out.

@the_roflcakes 8 months ago

This man is one of the best interviews I have ever seen. He has very obviously put the work in to shift his mindset to one without ego or fear. Not trying to put on an act. Empathetic, intelligent, well spoken, just a solid guy with a story that will help a lot of people. Wishing this guy the best.

@BnB_Bang 1 year ago

Best Interview you’ve done so far 👏🏾 you just gained a new subscriber (patreon)

@TrueGoodridge 1 year ago

Man Johnny once again you've done it, what a great interview, I've never commented on here before, but I love your channel, and this one hit hard , respect to Tyler , and his story, I'm blown away

@jonleonguerrero 1 year ago

Amazing story of resilience and fortitude. Best episode yet, Johnny.

@williamcampbell3985 7 months ago

By far the best interview I’ve seen on this channel. Very empowering speech . Ive been wanting to do motivational speaking for many years now and listening to this interview just opened my eyes to what i need to do.

@paulbenjamin3484 11 months ago

Good story bro. I'm all for people changing their lives around and the love of art.

@shawncooks5108 3 months ago

Awesome inspirational interview. Shout out to you, Tyler for persevering through all your trials and tribulations and striving for better and overcoming adversity. Keep soaring and keep doing what you’re doing. You’re changing lives and your story is a testament to the fact that change is possible and that a person’s past and what they’ve been through doesn’t define their future. Peace and blessings to you.

@Teddybear-zc9uc 7 months ago

This guys just an absolute inspiration it’s an older interview hope everthing going well for him still

@eddiechi1 9 months ago

Something is wrong here, this journey should have over 1 million views.... what an inspirational and talented person/story .... this outdoes any of the mafia/drug/cartel etc timelines