Donnie Andrews
(Brendan Smialowski for The New York Times)

Mr. Andrews spoke with local youths in July. He still runs with gang members, but these
days it is as an antigang outreach worker for the Bethel A.M.E. Church. When Mr.
Andrews and Ms. Boyd met more than 10 years ago, each was a prisoner --
although only one was behind bars -- and each began helping the other
get free.
(Photo: Brendan Smialowski for the New York Times)

In a book about Ms. Boyd's life on the street, the authors say two axioms ruled the
corner: ''Get the blast,'' or the high, and ''Never say never.'' Although they both still
work the corner, she and Mr. Andrews have left the first axiom behind, but they
 know better than to forget the second.
(Photo: Brendan Smialowski for the New York Times)

Fran Boyd and Donnie Andrews at The Senator Theatre in 2009 for the screening
of the last season of “The Wire.”
(Photo by: Bill Barry)

Donnie Andrews with Ed Burns, the Baltimore homicide detective who arrested him
and later lobbied for his release.
(Photo by Bill Barry)

Donnie Andrews

Actor Michael Williams, who played the character Omar Little in HBO's "The Wire," with the
real life inspiration for the character, Donnie Andrews, at Harvard Law School.
(Anna Miller/Here & Now)