Any man who is worth his "salt" should want to provide for his family by honest labor.  Our society has spawned a collection of people who think the government should provide them with their desires instead of having to earn their way.  On the other hand, there are those whose career or occupation becomes their god.  Often we hear from families who feel they are as deprived of their loved one by their job as they were by prison.

Remember, that most prison sentences are associated with "money," so be careful not to allow your job to control you.  The Lord Jesus Christ should come first, your family second and your job/career after that.  If your family stuck with you through your sentence, then they are more interested in you that what you can provide for them.

Many men feel they must "make up" to the family in dollars what they cost them by being sent to prison.  This theory has a lot of traps and can cost you spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Many inmates are prohibited from returning to their chosen profession.  These individuals must take steps to prepare for another career.  I know of no state or federal penal institution where an inmate cannot further his or her education and learn a trade.

Right now you can be outlining specific plans for employment upon your release.

Right now you can find out what programs and assistance are offered at your institution.

Right now you can enroll in available programs that will better prepare you for the outside world.

Right now you can work on improving your appearance, manners, vocabulary, speech and writing skills (all of which often deteriorate in prison.)

Right now you can unite yourself with Christian inmates with whom you can fellowship and have some common goals.  One of the most important things that an inmate must do is to honestly assess who his or her real friends are.  A real friend wants you to go to heaven.  A real friend wants you to stay out of trouble.  A real friend will not lie to you nor entice you into evil.  Take inventory and see if your "prison friends" are any different than the ones you had when you went down.  Running with the "same old gang" doing the "same old things" will get you back into the "same old prison."

These are things you can begin now while you are awaiting your release.

What are your plans "when YOU get out?"