RESOURCES

This is a very general reading list complied by Susan Shannon, M. Div.

Many of these entries can be categorized under more than one heading. Please share this with anyone you know who is interested in working with the incarcerated. Please email us if you have any additional suggestions.

The Pema Chödron Foundation aims to make Pema’s books and recorded teachings available to underserved individuals, and the organizations that serve them, free of charge.

This program is for the benefit of those who have no access to Pema’s teachings, and to groups and not-for-profit organizations who serve people in need.

Download the printable reading list below.

Book Recommendation

Leaving Prison Behind: A Council Before I Go is an illustrated novella created from the words and stories of system-impacted individuals, and those who support them. From the work of the Center for Council , includes a robust resource section with ideas, references and practices intended to be of support in the preparation for the journey that lies ahead.

Compiled by Susan Shannon M. Div. for use of chaplaincy and dharma students. (Great thanks to Professor Donald Lopez, Buddhist Scholar, for editing in 2021.) Any and all mistakes or omissions claimed by Susan.

A resource directory from the Naljor Prison Dharma Service.

A guide to finding hope, faith, and grace on the journey of an awakened heart.

This is from the O’Mara Law Group, a great resource.

Our Higher Education After Incarceration guide reviews how to get into college, the best degrees for people with prior convictions, and everything formerly incarceratedfolks should know about higher education. It is free to access, and we are happy to show our support to your community by sharing this valuable information.

This guide offers programs that help with life after prison, finding employment with a felony record, family assistance for those with a direct relationship with an incarcerated person, skills workshops, education, and more.

Brand building after incarceration is a transformative journey that involves reshaping one’s identity, leveraging personal experiences, and creating a powerful, authentic narrative. It starts with self-reflection and embracing the lessons learned during incarceration, turning those experiences into strengths that set the foundation for a unique brand. The process involves identifying core values, defining a clear mission, and crafting a message that resonates with a target audience—whether it’s to inspire, educate, or motivate others who may be on a similar path.