[Jeff Hail]

1984

I employed through the State of California a man named "Bob". Bob was on a day release program to reintroduce him into society after 30 years of mental health rehabilitation/ incarceration . He would get up early and take a bus from Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino to the San Fernando Valley. At the time the state on some work release programs was subsidizing the employee. (cost offset) and giving an opportunity to get back on his feet, learning trades and re-socialization. The state social worker advised he was not violent or a danger to anyone. At the end of the day Bob would make the trip and return to the Hospital.

Bob was a friendly guy with an eager demeanor. We helped him obtain a drivers license while employed and wanted to develope him. Everyone deserves a second chance right? Every once in a while I would get that feeling something just was not right with him.

About two months on the job I was in the car with Bob going to another job site and I asked if he didnt mind telling me what he was in prison for? I knew it was a psychiatric hospital but it was in fact Bob who called it a prison. Bob very openly told me he had kidnapped and raped a child 30 years prior and was declared criminally insane. He then quickly added he did not kill that child.

Imagine those statements digesting as a I sat at a stoplight?

Next day Bob didn't return from lunch after his first hour. I had to run and errand and found him a few blocks way parked in front of an elementary school playground while children were playing. That gave me the willys.

I instructed him to go back to the office. I contacted his counselor and explained what has happened and that I was not comfortable with finding him parked in front of a school playground with children present. We all agreed termination from employment was the best option. I was contacted by the Hospital directly a week later for additional details as they needed to know exactly what had occured? They updated me that Bob had been placed back into the facility and my call had prevented something bad from happening or someone getting hurt. I later found out he went back to that school again after the termination.

Some years later I saw Bobs obituary in the paper.

If you think once you pay that debt to society the slate is clean...think of Bob.




1997
Bryan was hired who was a recreational recovering crack head. He had a prior felony and a year of county. He was at least honest about it. Showed up every day on time. Caught him stealing tools from a tech. He is lucky the tech didnt catch him. He would have been hurt badly or lost a hand.

1998
Scott. Well known guy in the auto racing circles. Did really great head work. Divorced with a young boy. Crack was more important than his boy, his racing success or his life. It took his soul. Have never seen him again.

2002
Gregg, great service advisor. Great! Thorough, customers adored him. Recovering drunk and open admitted it. One night got back on the bottle and decided to drive. Passed out during a sobriety field test. He fell backward hit his head and ended up with a concussion. Had double vision for months. Last thing he remembered was a hot blonde women CHP Officer with her knee in his back on the shoulder of the 405.

I will forgive Scott and Gregg. The other two no. All were former felons.