Think Outside the Gate

About the Book

Think Outside the Gate is a book dedicated to all those who work or live in any type of incarceration environment. It contains a compilation of lesson plans and presentation outlines which can be used as an example of how one can turn any type of lesson into a “think outside the gate” experience. The “think outside the gate” mind-set is a philosophy that Melisa Mel created as the focal point of her lessons and presentations. This approach makes it a priority to keep the students’ focus on everything and anything outside of their limited, incarcerating walls. This not only instills hope in them, but it also better prepares them for when they cross the prison gates to go live back in society. Melisa Mel feels that better preparing for reentry into society is the most efficient way to ensure a person’s success outside of prison so that they do not return to prison. Her hope is that while working or living behind bars, a “think outside the gate” mind-set is present at all times, as that will tackle recidivism at its very core.

About the Author

Not only is Melisa Mel and author, but among many other things, Melisa Mel is also the CEO and President of her company ‘From Victim to Survivor, LLC’. As such, her mission is to connect with any who relate to or care about abuse on any and all levels. Therefore, she goes out and trains and presents to victims, first responders, and perpetrators. Over the years, her vast work with perpetrators of varied crimes has led her to see some of the gaps that are present in the system that affect the high recidivism rates in the prisons. Her goal is to address that recidivism rate by introducing here the “THINK OUTSIDE THE GATE” mindset which she incorporates in all her work with perpetrators of crime. Mel’s expertise in this field comes from working with perpetrators upon their release, during their probation periods, and while they are still incarcerated and fulfilling their sentence inside of a State Prison Complex. Today, Mel is a published author of nine books and working already on the next one. She is a highly-educated woman who is bilingual and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English, a Master’s degree in ESL, a second Master’s degree in Special Education and Education, and a PhD ABD in Psychology. Over the years, Mel has been nominated for various national awards for her work with victimization, her philanthropy, her teaching, and her writing. In the year of this publication (2017), she was featured in numerous magazines, media sources, and radio shows. She was also awarded the AZ Woman of the Year Beth McDonald Award, and the Triumph Over Tragedy Award by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey.