Through the use of an informal personal research strategy, this qualitative study examined 20 adult male and female ex-offenders all having lengthy sentences for serious crimes, as well as 5 personal narratives of ex-offenders and their struggles to come to terms with their shame and the role shame and religion played in preparing these offenders for life changes necessary for success in the community. Shame can be a powerful and debilitating emotion and was identified as the major factor in the desire to go straight. Both religiosity and strong expressions of shame play a prominent role in an offender’s ability to live productive lives after their prison experience. The combination of religiosity and shame provides a buffer from further criminal activity. References