SURVIVING PRISON

The Definitive Prison Survival & Reentry Guide

Ex-Con Mike is an author defined by the discipline of survival.

His work examines the invisible mechanics of institutions—from the quiet, high-control environment of a domestic household to the overt walls of the American state prison system. After serving over thirteen years, Mike was released in 2007 and has since built a life defined by the same meticulous observation that kept him safe behind bars.

In BOY=BAD, he uses auto-fiction to deconstruct the "long, quiet training" of a childhood where obedience was camouflage.

In SURVIVING PRISON, he provides a practical, unsentimental roadmap for those navigating the legal system, focusing on awareness, preparation, and the difficult transition back to a world without walls.

Having lived in Europe and worked across three countries since his release, Mike offers a rare perspective on how individuals adapt when safety depends entirely on reading the room correctly. He lives with his wife, who helped him learn that survival is a skill, but freedom is a practice.

No nonsensical guide to prison...

This book delivers exactly what the title promises—a no-nonsense guide to surviving prison, written by someone who’s done real time (over 11 years, in fact). It’s not overly complex or bloated with filler. Instead, it’s straightforward, focused, and brutally honest about what to expect—from the moment you're arrested to the long road back to life on the outside.

The author doesn't sugarcoat anything. He walks you through the dos and don’ts with the kind of grit and insight only someone who's lived it can provide. It's not polished literature—the language leans heavily on crude slang and raw spoken word over polished grammar—but in this case, it works. Let’s face it: you’re not heading into a place where everyone’s quoting Shakespeare. The tone feels right for the subject.

It’s not something I’d personally go back and reread, but I do think it serves its purpose well. If you’re trying to understand the mindset of an inmate, or you—or someone you know—might be facing time, this is a pretty decent survival tool. It's short, direct, and doesn't waste your time.

Recommended for the context it serves. 3 out of 4 stars.