To help first offenders who are preparing to go to state prison, Kohut, who has been a social worker, courtroom bailiff, bounty hunter, and social worker in the Air Force, details how to prepare for prison, maintain bonds with family, and serve time. Drawing from interviews with inmates, family members, and prison staff, she discusses the criminal justice system and its demographics; court proceedings and plea bargains and sentencing; the characteristics of inmates; what to do before incarceration; prison rules, gangs, drugs, sex, racism, corrections officers, privacy, and common mistakes inmates make; medical care in prison; how to stay close to family, what they will experience, and providing emotional support; women in prison; and how to stay positive. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)