We rarely hear good stories from inside of penitentiaries. Prison isn’t usually a setting for happy endings, is it?
Well, this is one situation that changes that slightly. There can be positive and inspiring stories within prison walls.
We’re often told how important kindness is. We are encouraged to help others and to make a difference in their lives.
Although kindness seems to be on the rise, we probably would not expect to see it in a prison quite as much. That just doesn’t seem like the setting for it, at least not from the outside.
A Man’s Journey
Luckily, a little bit of kindness went a long way in a prison recently. This story makes things a little brighter and gives us a fresh perspective of what can happen there.
Antonio Brown was originally facing from one-and-a-half to five years. He was imprisoned in Kent County Prison, located in Michigan. Brown received the sentence for fleeing and eluding the police. He was still awaiting his sentencing verdict.
The heroic part of his story began when Willie Williams, a fellow inmate, went to get more toilet paper.
To do this, he had to exit the cell. A female guard opened the door for Williams, allowing him to go get the item that he needed.
He had come up with a plan and this is how he was going to execute it.
A Bad Situation
After retrieving the toilet paper, Williams was supposed to go back to his cell. He knew the rules and what was expected of him, but that wasn’t his plan.
Upon Williams’ arrival back to the cell area, he snuck up behind the female guard who had let him out before. He hid behind a pillar to ensure that she wouldn’t see him.
He began assaulting the guard by beating her and choking her. Her radio fell out of her hand, which meant that she had no way to communicate with the other guards.
As Williams was harming the guard, he happened to hit some of the buttons. This triggered several of the cell doors to open.
Now, some people might assume that the inmates used this opportunity to escape. They actually did the exact opposite and pitched in to help the guard.
To the Rescue
When the doors opened, the inmates were ready to assist. About seven inmates came out of their cells.
One of these helpful inmates was Brown. He was ready to come to the aid of the female guard.
Once Brown became a part of the action, he was able to pull Williams away from the female guard. When Williams was off the guard, Brown was able to call for help.
He borrowed the guard’s radio to alert the others to the situation. Larry Stelma, the sheriff, praised Brown for jumping into action quickly and saving the day.
His Day in Court
The time came for Brown to receive the verdict. He went into the courtroom with Kent County Circuit Judge Mark Trusock.
According to video recorded by Wood TV, Judge Trusock explained,
“You intervened at your own peril and pulled that individual off of her, probably saved her life, and protected her from him attacking her again.”
Next, Judge Trusock shared some exciting news with Brown. He credited the inmate with 149 days time served and let him free on the charges.
It’s safe to say that the female guard is grateful for Brown, who saved her life. The judge saw Brown’s bravery and kindness too.
This act of heroism benefited everyone involved. Seeing stories like this should encourage us to be kind, loving, and helpful; even when we’re not expected to be.
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