I agree.
Pilate was put in a spot that he could not easily get out of.
Should he crucify this innocent man, or let him go.
He felt a good flogging would have alleviated the anger of the Jewish leaders, but it didn’t.
Then he knew that he would be crucified by Rome if he allowed the problem to escalate, and took the easy route, and allowed Jesus to be crucified. Thus the prophecy of the Priest who said it is more expedient for one to die, than for many to suffer.
Had he come to be saved one day, we will never know until we are in heaven.
However, the fact we know that after this he was closer to Herod and the Jewish leaders than before.
There are those who suggest that Pilate is portrayed positively for the same reason the early Christians broke with the Jews on a lot of their rituals and purity laws: they were evangelizing to the Romans and wanted to appeal to them. So it wasn't a Roman that executed Jesus, his hands were simply tied and he protested it then.
These are the thoughts of historians who read the Gospels not as the inspired word of God but rather historical documents written decades or more after the events. So take it for what it's worth.
If Pilate turns up in heaven he would definitely be one of those we would be surprised to see.