Bud Allen

The authors have spent many years working with prisoners and in this very interesting book explain how convicts frequently seek to manipulate (set-up) their supervisors and what prison employees can learn to avoid entrapment.

The book provides a useful set of case histories showing the empathy and sympathy hooks of first names, common interests, similar backgrounds and items such as the classic phrase, "You and your unique abilities are the only things that will rehabilitate me - I need your help" or "Only this time".

The aim is to gain power over (turn) employees and manipulate them to obtain favours/material goods and raise status with other offenders. The authors aim to protect employees by making them aware of setup techniques. Fundamentally they require employees to be fair but formal with inmates, set a good example, and never speak or act on the inmate level. When in doubt ask an experienced 3rd party and let the inmate know that you're doing it.

The authors clearly say that not all inmates are manipulative but a large enough proportion are to repay taking precautions.… (mere)