Most “crime prevention” is actually just crime avoidance. True crime prevention includes reducing recidivism rates. I.e., getting offenders to go through some major changes in thinking. This book can provide a jump-start for that change. I wish I’d had something like this fifty years ago!

PKF (See * below)

Going Straight: An ex-convict / Psychologist tells why and how

365 pages, paperback. $23.95

With cartoons by Marlene K. Goodman: Go to Links page to see more of her work.

To the best of my ability, I wrote this book to be realistic, compassionate, authoritative, with a lot of deep thought but few big words. Also with some ‘comic relief,’ aided by Goodman’s cartoons.

If you work with offender populations as a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, librarian, minister, or teacher, you’ll find this a valuable tool. (Even if you don’t agree with everything I say or the way I say it! This is supposed to be different, not the same stuff they’ve heard over and over!)

If you’re in those or a similar occupation, if you study or teach criminology, or you’re involved in public policy making, and you want to get a better understanding of criminal thinking and the challenges of rehabilitation, you’ll find this educational.

If you’re a “member of the offender population,” or M.O.P. for short, whether you’re currently incarcerated or an “ex-convict,” or just someone who’s likely to be there in the future, and you want to live at peace with yourself and the world, and stop falling into the same old traps, please read this book! It can be done!

If you're a concerned citizen and want to know what makes offenders tick and want to understand the challenges of rehabilitation, it wil all make more sense to you after you read this book.

If you care about a M.O.P. and want to help him or her on the road to respectability, this book could be the most valuable gift you’ll ever give anyone.

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Preview for free and order at iUniverse.com

A note from the author

Introduction

Myself as a court psychologist now, and earlier as a troublemaker, felon, and ex-convict. Bringing that experience to this book. How I believe it can help.

Who am I talking to?

Definition of a “member of the offender population” (M.O.P.), and how you know if you are one. Others who should read this, including correctional and mental health specialists, and anyone who cares about a M.O.P.

What you need to understand

Taking control of your life. The choices we all make. The difficulties of changing habits. Society’s imperfections; not using them as excuses.

“They” can’t do it for you, but they may help

The court, probation and parole officers, prison, friends, families, social agencies, churches. How they may be able to help, although only you can make the changes. Not waiting for a miracle from heaven.

What you have to change: The nuts and bolts of the plan

The many parts of a criminal lifestyle and criminal thinking. The attitudes and habits you need to change and how to change them. The things that keep a person in the offender population, although most aren’t illegal.

Spouses and children

Your responsibilities as a parent. Handling conflicts with ex-spouses and ex-boyfriends/girlfriends. Establishing and maintaining good relationships with your children. Your parental rights and how to pursue them.

Drugs and alcohol: Wheeeeee!

The dangerous idea of instant pleasure. The role of intoxicating substances in a criminal lifestyle. Staying inside the law. Why some people can drink, and others can’t. The effects of various drugs. How to know if you need help, and where to get it.

About that temper of yours...

Keeping it under control. Dealing with problems without over-reacting. Counting to 10. Getting over the need to act tough. Impressing the right kind of people, the right way.

The birds and the bees and you

What’s a healthy relationship and how you keep it healthy. The responsibilities of each partner. Jealousy problems. What is and isn’t love. Relationships to get out of and stay out of, and relationships that just need changes.

Keeping up with the Joneses: Fine! But who are the Joneses?

Short and simple, but very important: The idea of a reference group, and a peer group. Why it’s important to make the right comparisons.

The pitfalls

The many situations and circumstances that can sabotage a M.O.P. and how to avoid them. The target on your back and keeping it covered. Who do you tell, and how much do you tell? People to avoid. Those bad days we all have. The temptations that are always there.

Dealing with the police

Why society needs them. Understanding how they see their work and the world. Getting along with the good ones, staying out of the way of the few bad ones. Importance of showing respect. False accusations and forced confessions. Talking like a respectable citizen.

Bad examples!

People who didn’t make it. Where they went wrong. Seeing ways you can mess up even when you’re trying to stay legitimate.

Success stories

Various roads to a straight and happy life. Being successful on the job. Gaining the trust and respect of others.

Where’s my story?

My own mistakes. Why I can’t tell it all in detail. What I had to learn. What I wish I’d done differently. My hopes for you.

A final word

* O.K., there are a few pure “crimes of opportunity”: Maybe the trick-or-treater who walked into your house and stole a couple hundred dollars would never had committed a crime, if you hadn’t left a stack of bills in plain sight, near the door, which was unlocked, while you made a quick run to the store for more Halloween candy. But the major cause of offenses is the offender. The greater the number of offenders who decide to “go straight,” and do so successfully, the more reduction in crime you’re likely to see. In other words, every offender rehabilitated amounts to crime prevention, and every young person headed for a criminal lifestyle who turns in a different direction adds to crime prevention. This book can help by giving the offender and potential offender the motivation and psychological tools to change, and by helping others understand criminal thinking and the challenges of criminal rehabilitation, so they can encourage constructive changes in correctional priorities.