Syracuse couple opens up about love, life after prison on reality TV show

A Central New York couple is sharing their experiences navigating life and love after prison.
Zeruiah and Troy Jones star on the WEtv reality TV show “Life After Lockup,” a spinoff of “Love After Lockup,” which focuses on relationships where one partner was previously incarcerated. In the latest episode, which airs Friday, Nov. 15, Troy takes his two children to the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) to help them bond.
That’s a challenge for Troy, 29, whose 7-year-old daughter Troii lives in Buffalo with her mother, Yona, while 11-year-old son Asahel lives in Syracuse with Troy and Zeruiah. Troii and Asahel easily get along, enjoying dinosaurs and interactive exhibits at the MOST, but co-parenting remains a concern.
“The possibility of my wife and my baby mother being in the same room together is like really really mentally wicked to me,” Troy says in the episode, which was filmed in the spring. “I’m just hoping she keeps the peace.”
According to the show, Troy works as director of community engagement for Project H.E.A.L., founded by Zeruiah through her father Rev. Bernard Alex’s church, Victory Temple Fellowship. Zeruiah, 32, works as executive director for the nonprofit organization, which aims to provide free mental health services for ex-convicts and the community.
It’s Troy’s first job since he served time for criminal possession and attempted robbery. In the series, he can be seen wearing an ankle monitor.
“I know that I can run a business because running the streets and running an office is definitely similar,” Troy said in a previous episode. “If you looking at it from a street perspective, I just created my own gang.”
“Life After Lockup” depicts drama between the couple, stressed out about a Community Day event that falls on the same day as their 3-year wedding anniversary. In earlier episodes, Zeruiah asks Troy if he’s texting other women and accuses him of walking out during arguments.
“I just want a normal relationship,” she said. “I’m 32 years old, I ain’t got time to be out here playing games with you because if you not the person for me, let me go.”
The new episode also suggests issues at Project H.E.A.L., which recently pulled out of Syracuse’s anti-violence program Safer Streets, but doesn’t provide specifics. A website for the organization appears to no longer be active.
Producers said Troy and Zeruiah were not available for interviews, but the couple has posted about the show on social media.
“The real story, one day you all can read it in a book & not this stupid ass tv show,” Troy wrote last month. “Yea it’s fun when we’re filming but the s— that comes with it I could care less about they don’t fund my lifestyle trust me it was never about money , it was telling a true story about OUR LOVE …not LOVE AFTER LOCKUP.”
“This love can’t be broken can’t be tampered with can’t be compared to because we have our own genuine story f— that tv s—,” he added. “We really been (through) some s— together & all that was cut & edited because you all wasn’t supposed to see how I really came home didn’t look like I did seven years in jail. It was like I went in there sign papers and came out. They didn’t want y’all to see us the real power couple they want to make us look foolish , angry, controlling ‚manipulative , when it’s all for the viewers.”
Zeruiah has similarly given background info on episodes when they air, including opening up about her experiences with bipolar disorder and learning she was adopted at a young age.
“Going through things on camera is not easy. Nor is having to explain about past faults. I want everyone to know I’m human. I’m not perfect and I’ve never portrayed to be. I have a good husband and I love him with all my heart,” she wrote in September. “I know it’s easy to pass judgement but I want you to remember perception is much differently then the real reality. When you’re married you make a choice to choose each other everyday and my commitment to show and prove that is my priority— everyday!”
“Life After Lockup,” which follows seven former inmates and their significant others after “Love After Lockup,” airs its next episode Friday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on WEtv, which can be streamed free on Philo. New episodes are also available to stream on the AMC Networks streaming service, ALLBLK, every Tuesday.