Ask HN: Any advice for someone getting out of prison after 18 years?

I met this person when I was in high school. He made a huge mistake in his early twenties and has almost finished paying for it (bank robber). He gets out of prison next week. I've kept in touch with him through letters and have been telling him that his only chance of financial independence is through writing code.

He's very familiar with business logic, as he was the MS Access dba for the prison factory. And about six months ago I sent him a few conceptual programming books that you all suggested he read. He paid for his own master's degree (distance learning program in organizational dynamics), and even started a phd--though prison officials would not let him conduct the necessary research to complete it (and he ran out of money).

He's about 40, has no family, and virtually no friends (outside of prison). Army veteran, so he has health insurance covered. I think he has about $1000 saved. I'll be giving him a laptop, smartphone, and mobile hotspot. He won't be able to leave Indiana for a few years (terms of supervised release).

Would really appreciate everyone's thoughts and advice. I'll compile all of it and make a list for him. Thanks.