I bought a prison in the United States.

"I have approved your resignation. Keep your uniform and keys."

Having reviewed Thompson's previous work reports and knowing that he was a competent prison guard, Lingo said:

"I won't deduct your salary; it will be calculated based on the actual number of days you worked."

Seeing how understanding his new boss was, Thompson visibly relaxed, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.

"Thanks."

Ringo added:

"But I have a request."

"What?"

"If you know any reliable people looking for a prison guard job, have them contact me."

Thompson glanced at him, then nodded seriously:

"I will."

Ringo then looked at Bowers.

Bowers, who had been silent, finally raised his head.

His eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept well last night, or had slept too much.

"Mr. Bowles, what about you? Are you leaving too?"

Lin Ge asked.

"I...I don't know."

"Bowles said in a low voice."

"you do not know?"

Lin Ge looked at the other person, who was such a big guy, but spoke so timidly, and was somewhat speechless.

Bowers clenched his fist:

"I submitted my resignation, but... I don't actually want to leave."

"But last week I had a conflict with an inmate in the cell block, and Warden Harmon said I need to be suspended from duty to reflect on my actions."

Ringo looked at Hamon, who was leaning against the locker room doorframe and nodded expressionlessly.

"What conflict?" Ringo asked.

Bowers suddenly blushed:

"An inmate cursed at me, so I pushed him. He fell and hit the bed frame, scraping his forehead."

Which prisoner?

Lin Ge pressed for an answer.

"It's that gangster, Ghost Fang."

Bowers replied.

Lin Ge's brow twitched.

"What did Ghost Fang say to you?"

Bowers gritted his teeth, as if hesitating whether to speak.

Finally, he took a deep breath:

"He insulted me and my wife. She died of cancer last year. He knew this, so he deliberately provoked me."

The locker room fell silent.

Ringo looked at Bowers with some sympathy; there was something familiar in the eyes of this man who was as strong as a wall.

That was the look in someone who had been defeated by life, a complex mix of guilt and helplessness.

he asked:

"Someone like Ghost Fang, if you push him, is it possible for him to get seriously injured?"

Bowers was stunned; he clearly hadn't considered this question.

Hamon straightened up from the doorframe, a look of sudden realization on his face:

"Rivera did it on purpose; he wanted Bowers to be fired."

Lingo said:

"If you had pushed him and he had fallen harder, he could have accused you of violence, taken it to the state corrections department, and you would have lost your license."

Bowers' face turned ashen.

Having clarified the situation, Lin Ge said decisively:

"Mr. Bowles, I will not approve your resignation."

Bowers looked up, his eyes full of confusion.

"But you will have to accept a disciplinary action: a week's suspension without pay."

"If you still want to come back in a week, we can talk again."

"But I want you to remember one thing: starting three days ago, this is no longer a public prison, but my private property!"

"Private prisons don't have as many rules and regulations. Here, you are both prison guards and my employees, and you are the superiors of those prisoners!"

"Here, you don't need to worry about the personal safety of those prisoners."

"If they attack you, whether through actions or words, you are free to take any disciplinary measures you deem appropriate and reasonable!"

"Their weapon isn't a knife, it's your emotions. If you can't control your emotions, you lose."

Bowers opened his mouth, as if he had figured something out, and finally nodded.

Ringo added:

"Also, you need a psychologist. Although the prison doesn't provide one, there are several churches in Tulsa that offer free services so you can process your emotions before returning to work."

Bowers' eyes reddened. He lowered his head, then stood up and reached out his hand to Ringo.

"Thank you, Mr. Chen. Please rest assured, I will be back."

Lin Ge squeezed his hand and felt the strong hand trembling slightly.

After Thompson and Bowles left, only Ringo and Hammon remained in the locker room.

Harmon clapped his hands, as if applauding what Ringo had just said:

"You did a really good job just now, you're starting to look like a warden."

"The prison is short-staffed right now, and if it were me, I wouldn't let Bowers go either. Putting aside his personality, he's a very capable man."

"Where's the other person?" Lin Ge asked.

Harmon lit a cigarette and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke:

"I found out he went to a bar in Tulsa and drank all night last night. He hasn't answered his phone today."

"Is he like this all the time?"

"Occasionally, but it's been happening more and more frequently lately."

There was a hint of helplessness in Hamon's tone:

"Hobbs used to be a good prison guard and had worked in prison for many years, but he started to go downhill after his divorce, drinking heavily, being late, and having inappropriate contact with prisoners."

"I warned him several times, but it was no use."

What constitutes inappropriate contact with a prisoner?

Lin Ge asked.

Hamon explained:

"He got too close to a few prisoners, not in a bad way, but he often listened to their complaints and sometimes even brought them things from outside."

"What should I bring?"

"Cigarettes, magazines, and snacks, although not contraband, must enter the prison through proper channels according to regulations."

Hamon flicked his cigarette ash:

"He's too soft-hearted; he won't last long in this line of work."

Lin Ge frowned deeply; this was really not a good situation.

If prison guards are too weak or too talkative, it can easily encourage prisoners to develop rebellious thoughts.

If that triggers a riot, things will get out of control.

The biggest drawback of private prisons is that they do not have the same level of armed forces and professional management systems as public prisons.

Especially in this era, during the early stages of the development of private prisons, they were not yet qualified to be equipped with those military weapons and facilities.

It wasn't until two years later, when Reagan passed a new law, that the control over private prisons in various states gradually grew stronger.

Lin Ge thought for a moment and said:

"I'm going to talk to him when he comes to work."

Harmon gave a wry smile. "If he still comes to work."

Lin Ge returned to his office, picked up the phone, and dialed Lei's number.

This time, it was Lei himself who answered the phone. His voice sounded hoarse than usual, as if he had just woken up.

"Chen, you've called at the right time. Parker has found what you're looking for, and he said we can meet this afternoon."

"When?"

"At three o'clock, he asked you to go to his office, which is in downtown Tulsa, 422 Main Street, on the third floor."

"But I have an appointment with Danforth at three o'clock."

Lin Ge said with a slightly embarrassed expression.