Book: Overcoming Prison and Addiction (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0534599044/qid=1142822763/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-9320318-4133560?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)
ISBN:0534599044
by Chuck Terry

Publishers notes: Chuck Terry presents this powerful study on the tremendous obstacles that drug addicts drifting in and out of prison must overcome in order to get clean and "make it" in society. Thoroughly researched and based on sound theory, this text covers how societal reaction to drugs and addiction shape criminal policy and behavior. Terry's powerful voice as a writer brings each of "the fellas" to life as he tells their story on how they became addicts and documents their on going struggle with addiction---both in and out of prison. Terry follows the story of "the fellas" as they beat the odds, get clean, and try to make a better life for themselves. And, he tells the somber story of those who are not able to overcome the obstacles of drugs and prison.

About the Author: Chuck Terry is a criminologist who was once a heroin addict and convict.

I plan on getting this book sent to my boyfriend in jail. Thanks for telling me about it.

Has anyone gotten this book? It is very expensive and the review on Amazon says it's mainly a pamphlet.

Please let me know.

Thanks,

Sheila

I know some people here have mixed feelings about AA, NA, or other 12-Step programs (as I do myself), but they have literature available for alcoholics and addicts in prison. If you go to AA's web site, you should be able to find more information. I do know that they will happily send out a bunch of literature at no charge, and AA also runs a pen pal service where they will hook up an incarcerated alcoholic with an AA on the outside. It couldn't hurt, and the price is right.

And...NA has books that you can order and they will send to any institution with no shipping fees at na.org

Wow that is way too much money. I would love to send him NA lilterature though. They dont have much where he is right now. He NEEDS it as all of us addicts do.

I'm sure NA would be happy to send him a bunch of stuff at no charge, and if you want to send him a copy of the NA "big book", I think it's only $7 or something like that, with free shipping. They will also be happy to help him organize meetings if there aren't any at present and might even have a list of speakers who are willing to come to the prison for meetings.

There is usually a "corrections coordinator" for a given area who is familiar with and generally on good terms with facilities within that area. See if you can find out who that is where he is. That person will almost certainly be helpful to you, as will others.

NA has funding for literature and books to go to prisons contact your local NA they should be able to help.

Thanks for the good info. Since the prison itself isn't getting him help I guess its on us to do it.

many treatment programs are built around releasing the inmate back into a job and a minimum release work program once they do one of these drug treatments. When inmates don't sign up and too many beds go empty in these programs prison officials promise inmates lots of things just to get them to take the programs even if they are a longtime away from release and don't intend on giving anything of benefit just to get the money from the feds or other state funds. If you look at the training manual the counselor has for whatever the program is(every program has a manual) you will sometimes find that being given work release is written right into the program. If you push this issue properly you can get then over a barrel and rather then lose the scam they have going they will give the guy work release at a minimum just to get you down the road. The key will be found in the literature they give the inmate or else in the program's handbook.