No question about it - byalmost any measure, America operates the world's largest, costliest, and mostdysfunctional criminal justice ($250 billion) and incarceration ($80 billion)systems. With nearly 2.2 million prisoners in state and federal institutions,another 12 million circulating in and out of jails and detention centers, and77 million with arrest records, America is an arrested society with moretroubling rap sheets than promising resumes! Indeed, eachyear nearly 700,000 ex-offenders exit prison for the free world. Within threeyears of release, two-thirds return to prison where they cost taxpayers between$25,000 and $210,000 a year to experience justice and retribution. Oncereleased with a measly $200 in gate money and no housing, job, orre-entry/support plan, not surprisingly, ex-offenders are like fish out of thewater - they don't make it on the outside for long. But help is onthe way for surviving this criminal justice maze. Filled with powerfulinsights, advice, self-tests, examples, and exercises that focus on both hopeand action, The Ex-Offender's Re-Entry Success Guide is theultimate guide for those who want to stay out for good and do somethingmeaningful with their lives. While the whole re-entry process is fraught withchallenges that can lead to rejections, disappointments, and temptations, thisalso is a time for self-renewal and transformation.

There are silver liningshere for those who see opportunities in adversity - a unique time forex-offenders to inject greater meaning and direction into their lives so theywill never again waste their time and mind in a prison, jail, or detentioncenter. This bookaddresses the major challenges facing ex-offenders as they re-enter the freeworld. It outlines a clear seven-step process for re-entry success: â–ª Changing attitudes and motivations â–ª Taking responsibility and building trust â–ª Telling the truth about the new you â–ª Developing a purpose in life â–ª Seeking assistance for life-longrecovery â–ª Getting smarter through education â–ª Leaving a legacy as a good person Highlights of this self-directed book include: â–ª a 146-item re-entry assessment test â–ª examples of making difficult choices â–ª examination of ex-offender mindsets â–ª recommended learning resources â–ª exercises for developing a purpose and legacyin life â–ª daily action-planning forms and activities â–ª a re-entry activity planning journal â–ª forms for budgeting and using support systems â–ª powerful quotes for guiding one's life Addressing the whole re-entry process from beginningto end, this book is "must" reading for anyone preparing to re-enter the freeworld. It's also an ideal book for friends, loved ones, and supporters as wellas those who are already on the outside but need better guidance on how theycan jump-start their new life . and stay out for good!.