How do I keep son from going back in. He has 2 girls ages 4 and 6 he is 30 but still my son. I have been raising my grand daughters since he has been in it will be 5 1/2 years.

I wish there was some magic spell that could do it, But the sad truth is that most do go back in. Normally it is because they go back and start hanging with their old friends, and get back into their same life style.

Next they find it harder to get a job, and even harder to get a good paying job. So they are back with old friends, with little money and have normally grown to hate the systema and think society owes them something.

You need to try to help him not want to be in his old life.

I wish I had a better outlook, and maybe excon who I believed lived that life may have some better ideas.

The best way that I can think of is to acknowledge that the responsibility is really on him. And then ask him "how may I help you keep yourself out of prison?" or "what are your plans?" and then decide if and where you would like to be supportive in his plans and make that offer. He needs to be in the lead on this. If he is interested in turning his life around, he'll tell you and if he isn't, then there may be not much you can do.

While taking addiction programs into the local prison, I met some people there who were really turning their lives around. They introduced me to a book called "We're All Doing Time" by Bo Lozoff (http://www.amazon.com/Were-All-Doing-Time-Getting/dp/0961444401), an excellent practical guidebook that you both might want to read.

There is a book out about helping a con find a job and keeping it has anyone heard of it? And will it help. I don't want my son back in. I have had one heart attack. I love the kids but its time their dad becomes a dad he loves them and see them once a week and calls them daily. Please someone says there is help