The Revolving Metal Door

Book summary

In "The Revolving Metal Door" by Jonathan D. Rosen, readers delve into the sinister world of private probation and parole through the eyes of journalist Mark Reid. As he unravels the corruption within Lexington Myers, Reid takes us on a gripping journey through the murky waters of Florida politics and exposes the dark underbelly of the system. This novella is a riveting thriller that unveils the secrets behind the revolving metal door of the private probation and parole industry.

Excerpt from The Revolving Metal Door

The metal gates closed as Robert Parks walked out of the dilapidated prison in Southwest Florida. He remembered how his heart skipped a beat when the gates closed behind the van that transported Robert and his fellow prisoners on the first day of their incarceration. He had a hard time believing that five years had passed but was relieved that the nightmare had ended.

Robert had been to prison twice before and was supposed to serve twelve years for heroin possession. He had a long history of drug abuse and became addicted to opioids after an accident at a construction site. His arrest and conviction led to him being fired. Given his previous stints in prison as well as his long history of drug addiction, some of the parole board members were concerned. However, they voted for an early release given the orders from the top government officials trying to save money by getting rid of non-violent drug offenders costing the prison system billions of dollars per year.

Robert turned around and looked back at the massive prison complex which housed more than eight thousand inmates. He took a breath of fresh air. “This time, it’s going to be different. I don’t want to go back to this hellhole.”

A car pulled up and the driver got out. “Robert! Great to see you.” Jane put her arms around her older brother. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I missed you too. I love you, sis.” He started to cry. “It’s been a long five years. I’m ready for a change.”

“I know that you’ll be able to stay on the straight and narrow. I’ve been praying for you. Now, let’s go get something to eat.”

“Thanks, sis. I’m starving. I’m dying for a hamburger. The food in prison sucks. I wouldn’t feed it to a cat.”

“Hamburger it is. I’ll even let you get a cheeseburger if you want.” Jane smiled and patted Robert on the back. “Let’s get out of here.”

Jane drove down the street. Robert looked out the window at the streets of Coral Way, a city located in Southwest Florida. Coral Way, which was only two hours from Miami, was known for its pretty golf courses and nice weather. It was quieter than Miami and had become a top retirement destination.

“Look at all the construction,” Robert said. “They’re building like mad. A lot can change in five years.”

“Yeah. I liked Coral Way better when it was quiet. It’s too busy. We’re overrun with snowbirds escaping the winter. I never saw so many license plates from Canada in my life.”

“Jane, would you mind taking me to see my parole officer tomorrow? I’ve got to check in first thing in the morning. The last thing I want to do is go back.”

“Of course. I can drop you off on my way to work.”

Robert and Jane arrived at the restaurant. They spent two hours catching up. Five years is a long time, and many things had happened. The world was a completely different place. However, one thing that did not change was Robert’s love for Jane. She had kept him motivated while he was locked up. She’d sent him countless cards and books. She’d told him to focus on improving himself while he was behind bars. Jane would often tell Robert, “The past is the past. Let’s focus on the future. Five years will fly by if you use your time wisely.” This love and motivation helped Robert stay sane while in the hellish Florida prison system.

Robert’s wife divorced him after he was sentenced to prison. That was his third marriage, and he told himself it would be his last. He did not want to test fate with a fourth marriage. Love was not for him.

Jane dropped off Robert at Lexington Myers, a four-year-old private company located twenty minutes from Jane’s home. The company went public last year, and the stock price continued to soar. Lexington Myers won the bid to oversee the privatization of probation and parole services, as they convinced the government officials in Florida that a private company could save the state four hundred million dollars per year.

Robert waved goodbye to Jane and headed inside.

“How can I help you?” asked a receptionist wearing a bright blue dress.

“I was just released from prison,” said Robert. “I’m here to meet with my parole officer.” He looked around the room. There were fifteen people sitting in the waiting room.

“Give me a second while I see who you’re meeting with.” The receptionist searched through the database. “Got it. You’ve been assigned to Officer John Gates. Have a seat. Officer Gates will come to get you in a few minutes. He’s with another client.”

Lexington Myers did not refer to anyone coming through their system as offenders. They argued that this was because the word offender sounded derogatory, and, therefore, client was more appropriate. The CEO wanted everyone to remember that the individuals passing through the system meant more money for the company. Lexington Myers sought to adhere to their mandate of keeping the public safe while cutting costs at the same time. And, most importantly, Lexington Myers wanted to make money for their shareholders.

Robert took a seat in the waiting room. He turned to a muscle-bound man sitting next to him and said, “It’s like a doctor’s office but for convicts.”

“What’d you say?” asked the man.

“It was a joke. Never mind.”

The door opened. “Robert Parks,” said Officer Gates, a fifty-year-old corrections officer with a crew cut. He had a strong jaw and was built like a warrior.

“Here.” Robert stood up and walked toward the door.

“Come on down. You’ve won a get-out-of-jail card and an all-expenses trip to Parole Island.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Robert.

“Let’s go to my office.” Officer Gates pointed down the hall. “Follow me.”

“Yes, sir,” responded Robert.

Officer Gates opened the door and took a seat behind his desk.

“Grab a seat.”

Robert sat down. He had a habit of rubbing his hands together when he was nervous.

“Let me pull up your file here,” Officer Gates stared intensely at his computer. “Got it. So, you were just released from prison for drug charges. I see that you have a history of arrests. Our algorithm says it’s highly likely you’ll re-offend.”

“I won’t. I don’t want to go back to prison, officer. Been there, done that.”

“Don’t interrupt me,” Officer Gates leaned closer to his desk and gave Robert a penetrating stare. “You have a history of drug abuse. How many times have you been to rehab?”

“Three.”

“Three! Addiction is tough to beat. We’ve got a program for you. It will monitor and help keep you on the straight and narrow. Part of the condition of your parole is that you must live at a halfway house. It’s the one on Paradise Avenue. The halfway home has many counseling services.”

“But I’m going to live with my sister.”

Officer Gates leaned back in his chair. “Nope. Sorry, bud. You need to understand one thing: you’re not a free man. You’re under supervision. You’re deemed as a person who is highly likely to re-offend. Would you like me to call the Parole Board and tell them that you want to serve out the rest of your time in prison? That’s always an option.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Good. Glad we’re on the same page. As part of the conditions of parole, you need to take a drug test every week. They’ll be random. If you fail the drug test, you will go back to prison. The drug tests are not free, so you need to pay into the account that we will set up for you,” Officer Gates clicked around on his computer. “Done. It’s all set up.”

“I’ve got to pay for my drug tests?” asked Robert. He rubbed his left arm where he had the word persistence tattooed in large green letters.

“Correct. You also must pay for your ankle monitor. And while we’re talking about fees, you have outstanding fees with the courts. If you don’t pay the fines, you will rack up even more of them. The judges here don’t play around and are happy to send you back to the slammer.”

Robert looked like he wanted to cry. “I understand. I don’t want to go back to prison.”

“You also must wear an ankle monitor. Stand up.” Officer Gates pulled out a monitor from the bottom drawer in his desk. “This has 24/7 tracking. Don’t get it wet, and don’t take it off. We’ll find you and arrest you. Don’t try us.”

Robert nodded his head as Officer Gates put the ankle monitor around his left foot. “Any questions?”

“No, sir.”

Officer Gates pulled out a piece of paper. “Read this. Better yet, study it. These are the terms and conditions of your parole. If you violate any of these terms, we will arrest you. Stupidity is not a justification.”

Robert glanced down at the paper. “Understood.”

“Good. Finally, we will have meetings, and I will make field visits. Don’t miss any of our meetings. I wasn’t born last night. I’ve heard it all, and I don’t want to listen to your excuses.”

“Roger that. And I don’t want to go back to prison.”

Robert and Officer Gates talked for another ten minutes. Robert left the office poorer than when he came in. He already owed one thousand dollars. He needed to find a job quickly to get on his feet and pay back his fines.

Robert looked up at the hot sun while standing in the parking lot. He had no phone and no money for an Uber. He started to walk to the bus to make his way to the halfway home on Paradise Avenue.