The mythological Janus was known as Warden of the Gates. Depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions, Janus faced the past and the future. His symbol was a set of keys.

Guardians of the THRESHOLD

May 6-12

Correctional Employee Week

"The Department of Corrections is, in essence, the men and women who work so hard and thanklessly to protect society," said Governor Bush. "These are the people who wear the uniform, who carry the badge, who walk the beat, who deal with the offenders whether in prison or a dangerous neighborhood." -- Governor Jeb Bush

"These guardians protect society's people and wealth against hostile forces and intrusion by the unworthy."

-Joseph Campbell, author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces

May is the month we traditionally acknowledge correctional employees. It is, therefore, a good time to look into the history and mythology of mankind to understand the honor and tradition of which we are part.

"Somebody once said there are three kinds of people in the world - there are wolves and there are sheep, and finally, there are those who protect the sheep from the wolves. That's what we do," said Secretary James V. Crosby, Jr.

"Words are funny things," observed Deputy Secretary C. George Denman. "Correctional officers are often offended by the word 'guard' in reference to them," Denman said. "But, we forget that guard is short for 'guardian,' not of the offender (though of course we protect them as well) but of society. It is ultimately society that we guard and protect," he added.

Employees at Capitol for a Day in Pensacola, April 17. Left to right: Sgt. James Yetzer and Sgt. Denise Abrams of Century CI; Governor Jeb Bush, Sgt. Rebecca Collis and Sgt. Patti Gibson of Apalachee CI, Assistant Secretary for Institutions Michael Rathmann, and Secretary James V. Crosby, Jr.

As author Joseph Campbell wrote, "Mythology tells us that Guardians of the Threshold symbolize forces gathered on the point of transition between not only freedom and confinement, but between different stages of human evolution, moral, ethical, and spiritual: progress or decline. These guardians protect society's people and wealth against hostile forces and intrusion by the unworthy."

It is difficult for modern minds to understand the significance of doors and gates to ancient people. The best known Protector of Exits and Entrances was the Roman mythological figure, Janus, who presided over all that is double edged in life and represented the transition between the primitive and civilization.

"Don't forget, glamour is not greatness; applause is not fame; prominence is not eminence. The person of the hour is not apt to be the person of the ages. It is what the so-called unimportant and unknown do that really counts and determines the course of history. The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty, and consecration of those whose names are unhonored and unsung."

-John R. Sizoo, former US Intelligence Officer

Janus is pictured with a set of keys, in keeping with his role as Warden of the Gates. He also is depicted with two faces, facing opposite directions.

One face reflects the past while the other face gazes into the future; his symbol is the key that locks and unlocks the door and the stick or staff that drives away those who have not earned the right to cross the threshold.

"My spectral form is woven out of thine own life's record."

- Guardian of the Threshold

In order to pass over the threshold, the prisoner must offer as payment a willingness to change, to break out of the evil patterns. Janus offered death of the old life in preparation for a new life.

The threshold guardian is also concerned with transitions and new beginnings.

"When you think about it, this is the realm of the probation officer," said Deputy Secretary for Probation and Parole Tina Hayes. "The probation officer is society's guardian as the offender actually crosses the threshold into the free world."

In all mystical traditions, the purpose of the guardian is to challenge and to determine the worthiness of the individual to pass over.

Governor Jeb Bush meets with probation officers Paula Dean (left) and Traci Clayton (right) on the lawn of Pensacola City Hall Tuesday during the "Capital for a Day." The initiative seeks to bring state government to the people of local counties.

Albert Einstein said, "The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."

The people in the Department of Corrections don't fall into that category. Florida is a leader in getting criminals off the streets and keeping them off the streets.

Other world mythologies are replete with memorable threshold guardians. There are scorpion men who guarded the entrance to the mountains of Mashu and the Chinese. Menschen, literally "gods of the doorway." These 'immortals,' believed to have been two generals from the Tang Dynasty, are portrayed with terrifying facial expressions, in military uniform and/or armor and armed with a rapier or halberd. Affixed to their shoulders are tiny banners to signify their rank. They have been venerated since the 13th or 14th century. They are equipped with bows and arrows and magical symbols with which they avert evil spirits.

"Ideally, everything we do in the Department should support correctional officers in their day-to-day jobs. This is truly where the 'rubber meets the road.' All correctional jobs are important, but it is the basic twenty-four hour a day management of inmates by officers that most directly fulfills responsibilities to the citizens of Florida."

-Michael Rathmann, Florida Department of Corrections Assistant Secretary of Institutions

So, at each gateway to society there must be powerful guardians, placed to keep the unworthy from entering. They present a menacing face. They ensure a man or woman is worthy of passing. How appropriate a symbol for the work of correctional officers and probation officers and employees.

As General Creighton W. Adams said, "While we are guarding the country, we must accept being the guardian of the finest ethics. The country needs it and we must do it."

Correctional employees do their work every day, sometimes under dangerous conditions. "We do it, not for the money, which is always in pretty short supply, but because we are committed to serving the public," the Secretary added.

Virtues for the Guardians of the Threshold

These virtues were excerpted and adapted from "The Virtues of the Guardian of Killgorn Keep" created by John Hosie

• Vigilance - The constant State of mind to watch out for foreign and domestic foes. Symbol is the open eye.
• Punctuality - Commitment to being prepared at a moment's notice to carry out orders. Symbol is the clock.
• Obedience - Acceptance of orders. Symbol is the closed fist.
• Efficiency - The prevention of waste. Symbol is the Abacus.
• Silence - Essential for stability and safety. Symbol is closed mouth.
• Diligence - The ability to seek out a goal and continue toward it. Symbol is the sword.
• Conformity - The outward sign of uniformity, that one man is like his brother in actions and beliefs. All are equal. The symbol is the Guardian's mask.