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 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.
Contents
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.
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