Triumph: Straight-A Guide to Conquering Imprisonment

Triumph! The Straight-A Guide to Conquering Imprisonment and Preparing Prisoners for Reentry introduces strategies that Michael G. Santos used to prepare for a law-abiding, contributing life while traversing a quarter century in prisons of every security level. This book is a companion to Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term and Prison! My 8,344th Day. Together, the trilogy offers prisoners hope. The books show strategies that one man used to begin transforming his life immediately after a jury convicted him for trafficking in cocaine. Authorities arrested Michael G. Santos on August 11, 1987. While locked in a county jail, Michael faced a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. He pledged to emerge from whatever sentence his judge imposed differently from the reckless adolescent he had been while trafficking in cocaine. Wanting to return to society with values, skills, and resources that would translate into success, he came up with a three-part plan to guide his prison adjustment. It required that Michael work: 1) to educate himself; 2) to contribute to society in meaningful, measurable ways; and 3) to build a support network. Michael’s three-part strategy led to his achieving significant accomplishments during the 25 years that he served. Through Triumph!, Michael shows others that to the extent they embrace the same values-based, goal-oriented strategy of the Straight-A Guide, they can achieve more than anyone would expect of someone who is incarcerated. The strategy empowers individuals to tune out the noise of negativity and external forces that pervade every prison setting, showing them instead how to tap into an inner strength as they pursue success. The Straight-A Guide begins with attitude, requiring an individual to live with a 100 percent commitment to success. It requires an individual to visualize the aspiration of what he wants to become. Then it urges him to take action. The Straight-A Guide urges the individual to create accountability to measure progress. It gives an individual the skill to become aware of opportunities, and to make the marketplace aware of their work. The Straight-A Guide encourages those who adhere to the strategy to celebrate incremental achievements and to show appreciation for the blessings, opportunities, and resources that flow along the way. In Triumph! The Straight-A Guide to Conquering Imprisonment and Preparing Prisoners For Reentry, Michael G. Santos speaks from a position of strength. Rather than offering theory, he offers stories from his observations and experiences of overcoming a quarter century in prisons of every security level, showing how he returned to society with employment offers, financial resources, and an enormous support network. Those who want to learn more may Google his name, visit his YouTube channel, or his website at MichaelSantos.com.