Chains of Change

An estimated 20 million people in the United States live with the label of “felon,” including both those currently incarcerated and those who have returned to society. A felony conviction can severely limit a person’s ability to secure stable housing, find meaningful employment, and maintain a positive social standing. These restrictions, combined with a lack of accessible resources, often contribute to a higher risk of re-offending.

Chains of Change offers a practical, hopeful roadmap for breaking that cycle. Written by James Wieland, himself a convicted felon, this guide draws on lived experience to share the strategies, mindset shifts, and steps many have used to rebuild their lives. With simple, straightforward advice, it helps convicted felons, and the friends and family who support them, navigate the challenges of re-entry, overcome public stigma, and create a future defined by opportunity rather than past mistakes.