There is some truth in judging someone by the company they keep. It can easily be seen that those around us do influence our attitudes and behavior, for better or worse. And it doesn’t surprise many to learn that criminals often consort with criminals and that they promote anti-social activities and influence others to continue such unethical and illegal conduct.

This section of the Criminon Program deals with establishing the skill to chart one’s own course in life, with honesty and integrity, and to spot and disassociate from those elements which would tend to lead one astray.

The course teaches the students the characteristics of both anti-social personalities and social personalities, so that they may recognize both and know the differences between the two. That way, they can better choose their friends and associates, and become more aware of their own attitudes and be made less susceptible to those who would have them revert to crime.

“Not confronting suppression—not handling it—is giving something of yourself away, like compromising with a thief. Quitting; to give in to suppression is not being your own person. Knowledge is the most powerful possession of all and gives anyone the means to deal with and handle any connection with suppression.”

W.N., Corcoran State Prison