The advice takes a fictional prisoner nicknamed Geek through the arrest, booking procedures, the entry into jail, and coping with a lengthy period in prison. The tips cover health, family relations, money, spiritual needs, and the use of self-help programs. Individual chapters give advice on how to interact with other prisoners and with correctional staff, avoid being sexually or physically assaulted, recognize manipulative 'games' played by other prisoners, obtain respect without instilling fear, and recognize and deal with the psychological pressures of confinement. Setting goals, dealing with a divorce, growing spiritually, planning ahead for release, and obtaining veterans' and Social Security benefits are also covered. Appendixes listing books, courses, resource organizations, Spanish phrases, sign language, and forms for addresses.