Preparing for Success after Prison: Introduction Workbook (Five Hours) Paperback – March 20, 2023

Welcome to the Introductory Course onPreparing for Success after PrisonWelcome to our introductory course on Preparing for Success after Prison. With suggestions from leaders in the Bureau of Prisons leaders, we modified this introductory course so that people inside could complete all exercises in approximately five hours.Preparing for Success after Prison requires more than five hours. Our series includes an intermediate ten-hour course, and a self-directed program people can use throughout the journey.As readers will find in this course, it’s never too early, and it’s never too late to begin preparing for success after prison.Why?Lots of reasons.Learn from recidivism rates. Statistics show that many people going into the system face enormous hurdles when they get out. None of those people intend to return to prison after their release. Yet, from the time of an initial arrest, a person’s life changes in unanticipated ways:They must interact with criminal defense lawyers, prosecutors, and a judicial system they don’t understand.If a prison term follows, people get separated from those they love. Friends and family move on, which causes anxiety.While living in the system, constant challenges can complicate an adjustment—regardless of security level.Upon release, people face challenges finding housing, securing credit, or keeping up with an ever-changing society.Yet some people leave prison and thrive. Take the case of Weldon Long. His struggles with addiction influenced his behavior as a young man. Weldon participated in armed robberies that led to three separate prison terms. During his first two terms, he adjusted to the culture of confinement. Decisions inside led to further problems outside. After his third conviction, Weldon decided to transform his life. Now he leads a company that provides sales training to major corporations, such as Wells Fargo, Federal Express, Home Depot, and others.What made the difference?During his third term, Weldon decided he didn't want to live a criminal lifestyle any longer. He chose to prepare for success after prison. Regardless of what went on inside the penitentiary, he could always work toward improving himself by:Enhancing his vocabulary,Improving his writing skills,Becoming a better verbal communicator,Evolving his critical-thinking skills,Developing a self-directed work ethic.Like many other people in prison, Weldon eventually learned that regardless of what went on around him, he bore the responsibility to prepare for success upon release.Many people in prison believe that while living inside, they should focus on the culture of confinement and forget about the world outside. People who succeed upon release understand that an urgency exists. The sooner they start sowing seeds for success, the more effective they become at opening opportunities.This five-hour introductory course urges participants to pursue a self-directed strategy. They should engineer a personal release plan that will allow them to:Define the best possible outcome,Create a release plan that will lead to success,Put priorities in place,Develop their tools, tactics, and resources,Create personal accountability metrics, andMotivate them to work relentlessly at executing the plan.Our entire team at Prison Professors believes that anyone can work toward becoming extraordinary and compelling. It all starts with a personal release plan. Iterate the plan over time, and document the incremental steps necessary to prepare for success.For people in federal prison who want ongoing support, please send us a Corrlinks invite to get our newsletters. We believe in you.Michael Santos, Founderwww.PrisonProfessors.com Read more