There are many ways but the most common is someone owning an outstanding debt to the mob and has really no easy way to pay it back, and if the person has skills or contacts that are useful to the mob and is shown to be a good earner, then he is usually put on record with a family that does not want another family claiming that person.

As for that person being made it depends on how that associate acts and behaves, but it also depends on the family administration and capos. Just because an associate is good friends with a capo and his crew, does not mean that person is going to be made, even if he is on friendly terms with other capos and their crews.