Anthony Ivy, 32, who had served 12 years in prison, was preparing for his early-morning release when his name came over the speaker on Monday.

He didn't hear it. Someone else told him.

A few hours later, he was getting a hearty reception in a parking lot across from the prison.

The crowd included his wife, Vivian Ivy, who picked him up; his cousin Mandrell Knight and instructors from the prison's Uncuffed program where Ivy participated. It teaches podcasting and DJ skills.