Posted on 06/23/2017 6:02:54 PM PDT by BBell
Six Georgia inmates have been granted reduced sentences for saving a sheriff's deputy who collapsed during a work detail.
The prisoners at Polk County jail got their sentences cut by 25 percent after saving an officer who passed out on June 12, CNN reported Thursday. The deputy suffers suffered from a chronic medical condition that became agitated by the heat outside.
The deputy was on detail supervising the inmates perform lawn maintenance at a cemetery when he collapsed.
The six inmates sprang into action, instead of fleeing, after the officer began hyperventilating before passing out.
"When he started breathing, it was just real heavy and real fast," inmate Greg Williams said.
One inmate used the deputy's phone to call 911 and another removed his bulletproof vest and gun belt so he could breath easier.
"When that happened, in my opinion, it wasn't about who is in jail and who wasnt," Williams said. "It was about a man going down and we had to help him."
Due to the inmates' quick response, the medics arrived at the scene shortly after to take over.
"They really stepped up in a time of crisis and show that they care about my officers," Polk County Sheriff Johnny Moats said. "That really speaks a lot about my officers too, how they treat these inmates. They treat them like people. Like family."
The deputy has since recovered and returned to work.
None of the prisoners are violent offenders and charges against them range from probation violations to minor drug crimes. In addition to reduced sentences, the six inmates who saved the deputy received a celebratory lunch and dessert in the park prepared by the deputy's family.
"They could have taken the gun, got the work van and gone," Moats told TIME. "They could have done anything they wanted. They were out there by themselves with this one officer. If they would have left him there, it could have been hours before anyone came across him."
The sheriff's office wrote in a Facebook post after the incident that the situation could have turned violent like another story about Georgia inmates. Two prisoners suspected of killing two corrections officers during their escape from a prisoner bus last week were later captured in Tennessee.
"As we watched the horrific man hunt this week of the two inmates that killed two correctional officers and were captured last night, we all know that Monday could have ended differently for our officer," the sheriff's office said.
You got to love the South. Work details, black and white horizontally striped prison garb and prisoners with manners.
Nice little video at link.
When I was young, they used to send crews like that out without a guard. They’d do random drive by checks. Not there for a check, or not get back to the jail for supper, and it was a 5 year prison felony for escape.
These men did what real men are supposed to do.
Guys, I thank each of you.
More character than a lot of fools walking the streets freely.
A few years back our county road gang got busted for having a ‘ portable brothel’ in the woods.
Around where I live they use a lot of trustees. After the parades or festivals you will see these guys with a shirt on from the local jail and on the back of the the shirt it is written TRUSTEE. These guys work hard, will not talk to you or even make eye contact. I’m sure they are told not too.
Impressive — that road gang’s organizational skills. :) A portable brothel.
“...charges against them range from probation violations to minor drug crimes.”
I think if I was the Governor I’d give them pardons.
I don't care who you are that there is funny!!!
I thank them. They did the right thing.
Also it kind of begs the question as to why they’re in the clink in the first place? The article noted minor drug offenses and probation violations. Why are we wasting jail space and resources on nonviolent offenders who could be dealt with otherwise? They could be out working and earning a living rather than learning better crime skills on the taxpayers dime.
any time that positive reinforcement can be used on prisoners it should be used... the fact that they did the right thing should be awarded and now maybe when they getb out they will remember that they were given a break for doing the right thing and wont be back in jail.
It’s the South. We are all fat, dumb and happy!!! At least that what the media tells us.
Angola is actually a model prison. It's state run and they really do work to reform reformable prisoners so they can get out and get a job and become a part of the community again.
On another note, we need mental health reform but that is a whole other issue.
More character than half the politicians.
We have inmates trimming right of ways, doing park work, etc. These are non violent offenders working off their time.
Excellent point
That video needs subtitles
What? You don’t speak Southern drawl ?
Agree. I could understand the black guy the best, usually that would not be the case.
Great actions on their parts.
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