Makin’ It: A Parole and Probation Survival Guide (2nd edition)

Makin’ It: A Parole and Probation Survival Guide (2nd edition)

By Errol Craig Sull (Buffalo: Aardvark, 2003).

Summary:

A self-proclaimed “Boy-Scout Handbook” for those going through release and parole, this book is intended to be comprehensive, yet accessible. Written in a user-friendly format, former prisoner Errol Craig Sull addresses the full range of issues that ex-offenders face in the transition to life outside of prison. The book contains 31 survival tips that are then followed by short bullet points containing advice about how to achieve the objective set forth in the survival tip. 

In many ways, the greatest value of this book is its format.  It is written to touch on a number of issues that will be a part of reintegration, but does so without becoming overwhelming or too complex.  Topics covered include physical health, reintegrating into family life, job preparation, sexual health and awareness, emotional health, budgeting, communication skills, substance abuse, and goal-setting.  The book concludes with a comprehensive list of contacts that could be of use to an ex-offender in need of help.  As an ex-offender himself, Errol Craig Sull recognizes the unique challenges ex-offenders face and speaks to those challenges in a language that should be easily understood by all.

Why does FASTEN recommend this resource?

This book would be very useful to FBOs involved in prisoner re-entry because to its simple language, user-friendly format, and honest assessment of the situation ex-offenders face.  FBOs may want to give the book to ex-offenders when they first exit the prison system as a sort of “how-to” guide for life on the outside.  The fact that there are 31 survival tips also lends this book to be helpful study material for the first month out of prison.