Reviews & Testimonials

The curriculum has been in the field for years. Here is what it did.

Every module of Breaking Free is built from the books and video teachings of Rayford L. Johnson — the same material readers, viewers, counselors, and chaplains have been responding to for years. The reviews below are published, unedited responses to that curriculum, gathered from ThugExposed.org, its video library, and Amazon.

4.4★: average rating across 28 Amazon reviews of Thug Mentality Exposed
5: published books forming the backbone of the eight modules
30+: years in corrections, gang intervention, and ministry
12: years serving as a volunteer jail and prison chaplain

Letter from the field

Correctional ministry leaders see lasting impact

Sheriff, Sacramento County

Office of Correctional Ministries

March 24, 2025

Subject: Heartfelt Thanks for Your Transformative Ministry

Dear Chaplain Rayford Johnson,

On behalf of the chaplains serving the Sacramento County Jails, we extend our sincere gratitude for generously providing your books: How to Renew Your Mind, Thug Mentality Exposed, Demon Mentality Exposed, and Redemption of a L.A.P.D. Rogue Cop.

We cannot keep them on our shelves! Inmates frequently testify that these books have profoundly impacted their lives, helping to bring about transformation and renewal.

Please know that your ministry is making a meaningful difference here in Sacramento, and we deeply appreciate your contribution to this life-changing work.

With gratitude,

Excerpted from an official letter dated March 24, 2025. Contact details omitted for privacy.

Professional recommendations

Trusted in correctional and juvenile ministry

The Juvenile Justice Chaplaincy

Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility

May 8, 2025

Subject: Recommendation of Rayford Johnson’s books for juvenile reading programs

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to strongly recommend the inclusion—and continued use—of books authored by Rayford Johnson in your juvenile facility’s reading and enrichment programs.

The titles, “How to Renew Your Mind,” “Thug Mentality Exposed,” “Demon Mentality Exposed,” and “Redemption of an LAPD Cop” are powerful resources that speak directly to the hearts and minds of young people facing real-life struggles. These books tackle difficult yet relevant topics—identity, spiritual warfare, trauma, and the power of transformation—with honesty, boldness, and grace.

Our residents have not only responded positively to these works, they gravitate toward them. These books are often selected voluntarily, read with interest, and spark meaningful conversations. They offer truth without judgment and hope without sugarcoating the realities many of these young men and women have lived through. Rayford Johnson’s voice is authentic, compassionate, and redemptive—exactly what many of these youth need to hear.

I truly believe these books play a vital role in personal growth, spiritual development, and positive mindset shifts. I encourage you to continue making them available, and to consider them as essential tools in your mission to rehabilitate, educate, and empower the next generation.

Please feel free to reach out if you need additional insight or a testimony to their impact.

Sincerely,

Sacramento County Corrections

Office of the Director of Chaplains

July 13, 2013

Subject: Recommendation for ministry and educational facilitation

To whom it may concern,

This letter is to recommend Rayford Johnson, for ministry and educational facilitating. I have had the distinct pleasure of Rayford serve as a Volunteer Chaplain and Class Facilitator at the Sacramento County Corrections facilities.

Rayford is a gifted teacher, speaker and motivator of people. His knowledge, compassion and wisdom are an asset to any group, church or organization. I have first hand knowledge of the behavioral impact Rayford has on individuals and it is positive.

Rayford is a sincere person; he is a dynamic interpersonal communicator.

His work is worthy of your financial support and your organization will be tremendously blessed by his presence.

Respectfully,

Transcribed from signed recommendation letters. Postal addresses, telephone details, and tax information omitted for privacy.

On the course readings

Every module is built from the published works of Rayford L. Johnson. These are readers responding to the same material students study.

This book could easily be taught as a manual in how to effectively deal with gang influence because it was written by a bonafide professional who possesses mastery of his subject. Rayford Johnson's expertise as a correctional officer and gang expert really comes to the forefront as he ties in his first-hand experiences with gang members through the interviews that he conducted with them. A must-read for anyone who desires to learn more about the origins of the mindset that gangsters blindly embrace and how to help them look deeply at themselves in order that they can find a way out of their destructive lifestyles.

Victor Torres

17-time national and international award-winning counselor, teacher, speaker and author

Module source: Thug Mentality Exposed

This book is very compelling. The stories in the book are gripping and shocking!

Terry Moore

Nominated by the Los Angeles Black Music Awards for Best Spoken Word Performer

Module source: Thug Mentality Exposed

If you are in the prison ministry or want to understand the life of other people, it's a good book. The author offers ways of bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the suffering and helps the reader understand the hearts and minds of those stuck in this world. I read it in one day.

Lily

Module source: Thug Mentality Exposed

If you or your loved one is in any way involved — even if it's only your suspicion — with the thug culture, then this book is a must for you. The thug culture and thug mentality are akin to some of the most evil and powerful cults in the world.

itstimetobereal

Module source: Thug Mentality Exposed

Explains the origin and meaning behind sagging, thug, hip hop and more. Also has letters from incarcerated youth. Gives a Christian perspective from a counselor who works with these youth.

D. Burris

Module source: Thug Mentality Exposed

An excellent read that gives a lot of insight about the music industry and the demonic influence behind it that is progressively sweeping our nation.

Leah S.

Module 3 source: Music and the Mind

I love this book. I purchased a few so that I could share them with others. Very informative and interesting. Young and old will be able to learn and enjoy this book. A blessing.

Amazon Customer

Module source: Thug Mentality Exposed

A must read for anyone who has interest in the reality of the nightmare that was once lived within the CYA, later renamed DJJ. Definitely an eye opener into the justice system in California from the teenage juvenile perspective.

Hec707

Module source: Thug Mentality Exposed

Most all that is written in it he supports with Biblical scripture. As someone who is a coach I can say that it can be a very good book to pick up to help get one's life on track. The book is packed full of good information that would take a person decades to uncover. Highly recommend.

MysticMan

Coach

Module source: How to Renew Your Mind

I appreciate brother Ray's emphasis on God's Word and patient explanations about what happens when spiritual hedges are broken. It was very encouraging to read. The testimonies are so beautiful.

An honest review

Module source: Demon Mentality Exposed

It helps to explain the pathological behavior in people on a daily basis — very good.

Lamet34

Module source: Demon Mentality Exposed

I'm a cop in NC; I teach in a community college and saw his video searching for a class tie-in. Hoping to find more about him, I came across his book. It's small but mighty. If you are a Christian cop, buy the book. It could happen to any of us.

Not easily pleased

Police officer and community college instructor, North Carolina

Module source: Redemption of a Rogue LAPD Cop

This book is awesome. Action packed, definitely a page-turner, hard to put down. Great testimony. I recommend this book to everyone. Very easy to understand.

Richard

Module source: Redemption of a Rogue LAPD Cop

This book is phenomenal! What an in-depth study of the origins and its connection to the mystery religions. I am even more determined to see my nephews and friends released.

Debra

Module source: Greek Letter Exposed

This is what is needed in this time and hour. We, the people of God, and the masses need to know about these symbols and what they truly mean. Thank you, my brother.

Marilyn Walker

Module source: Greek Letter Exposed

Awesome book and great resource.

Tanisha Preer

Module source: Greek Letter Exposed

Fantastic book I would recommend it to anyone seeking insight into the world of demon possession and the part the devil plays in the prevailing thug mentality that saturates today's pop culture.

Aceul32

Module source: Thug Mentality Exposed

Such a great read and it goes more in depth detail on everything.

karen

Module source: Greek Letter Exposed

Awesome book and great resource

Module source: Greek Letter Exposed

Someone in prison recommended that I read this so I got it. It brings up some interesting ideas.

Public Profile Name

Module source: Demon Mentality Exposed

On the video teachings

The teaching videos inside the modules are drawn from the ThugExposed.org library. These are viewers responding to those same lessons.

Thanks for sharing the word of God! Beautifully done. I'm still trying to get to my family about the artists they idolize.

@kat64470

Module 3 video: Can Music Summon Demons?

Excellent teaching! Praise God for his revelations to get his children free from bondage.

@TommyArbuckleMinistries

Video lesson: G.L.O. — What You Don't Know

Thank you brother! May the Lord continue to use you. My wife and I prayed this in our bedroom and it was amazing. Very powerful!

@figirovac81

Video lesson: Deliverance Prayer

Thank you for this video. It has helped me a lot.

@ethantroy311

Video lesson: Deliverance Prayer

This young man just blessed my soul, thank you for sharing your testimony. You encouraged me to seek the Lord even more.

@latrinaperine5447

Video lesson: 29 Minutes in Heaven

This is my favorite video on YouTube!

Hawaiian7717

Video lesson: 29 Minutes in Heaven

Wow, this is powerful. I heard a lot about this recently and this video is making it all make sense.

@NoahDyne

Video lesson: Spiritual Strongholds Exposed

Thank you. Perfect explanation.

@pamelabundros

Video lesson: Hidden Spiritual Practices

Man……. I immediately started shaking uncontrollably and pouring crazy sweat. As soon as you called out the spirit of Wrath/Rage I stared growling/screaming violently. This is very real…. PRAISE GOD!!

@FreeTruthRevealed

Video lesson: Deliverance Prayer

From the field

Letters from jails, facilities, and homes where this counseling approach was used exactly as the curriculum teaches it.

Thank you for coming to see me and for praying over me. I'm not sure how you were chosen, but it was exactly what I needed. Something definitely changed in me. I asked God where to start reading the Bible, and later that same day my prayer was answered through chapter 11 of your book. I consistently read the Bible now every day — every single day, not missing a day. I really feel like God is calling me to do what you do.

N. S.

County jail, written to Brotha Ray

Counseling approach taught in Modules 5 and 7

I received the mercy of God from the deliverance prayer with brother Ray. I thank God for using this man for great counsel and ministry of healing.

J. Lane

Counseling approach taught in Module 8

I would like to thank God for the blessing that you bring to me and our group in our pod. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have you and how much of a presence you make each time you come.

Group member

County jail pod study

Group facilitation model taught in Module 7

I was crying to God for assistance and becoming weary and discouraged. As I watched the testimonies my faith began to be built up. I became encouraged again about God's absolute ability to deliver anyone, including me and my family.

Online prayer-line testimony

Outreach model taught in Module 7

I knew him while he was an inmate at the Central Detention Center in California. I know that he is sincere and truthful about his experiences and transformation to a true man of God.

Big Mike

Case study: Redemption of a Rogue LAPD Cop

Even with everything, you prayed for, for me to be delivered from, was completely accurate. It's like you had already known me and knew exactly what to pray.

N. S.

County jail, written to Brotha Ray

Counseling approach taught in Modules 5 and 7

I really feel like God is calling me to do what you do. Please mentor me. I'm willing to do whatever. Please help me to grow in Christ.

N. S.

County jail, written to Brotha Ray

Counseling approach taught in Modules 5 and 7

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Quotes are reproduced from publicly posted reviews and letters. Names appear as the reviewers signed them; letters from incarcerated writers use initials.