When people think of prison, heroism is rarely the first thing that comes to mind. But behind bars, stories occasionally emerge that challenge assumptions about those serving time. Despite their past mistakes, some inmates have proven that when a life is on the line, compassion and courage can shine through—even in the most unlikely places.
From saving officers during medical emergencies to aiding disaster victims, these incarcerated individuals acted selflessly in moments of crisis. Whether motivated by instinct, empathy, or redemption, here are ten remarkable times inmates helped save a life.
Related: 10 Facts about the Wildest Prison Break You’ve Likely Never Heard Of
10 Six Inmates Save Deputy Sheriff in Georgia
Inmates save officer’s life
It was a sweltering day in Polk County, Georgia, when a group of six inmates was out doing cemetery maintenance under the supervision of a lone sheriff’s deputy. As the heat bore down, the deputy collapsed from heat exhaustion, suddenly unconscious and in serious danger. With no one else around, the inmates had a choice: escape or help. Remarkably, every one of them chose to do the right thing.
They immediately sprang into action. One inmate grabbed the officer’s phone to call 911, while others removed his bulletproof vest and began trying to cool him down until emergency crews arrived. Thanks to their quick thinking, the deputy made a full recovery. The inmates were celebrated with a special lunch—and later received even greater recognition. Each was rewarded with a 25% reduction in their sentence, a rare and meaningful thank-you for doing the right thing when no one was watching.[1]
9 Inmate Firefighters Battle California Wildfires
How incarcerated firefighters have helped battle California wildfires
California’s wildfire seasons are becoming increasingly dangerous, and in 2024, over 1,000 inmates were once again called upon to assist overwhelmed firefighters. These inmates worked long, grueling shifts, cutting fire lines and clearing brush in order to slow the spread of the flames. Their bravery helped protect homes, communities, and lives during the state’s worst natural disasters.
This program isn’t new—California has relied on inmate firefighters since 1915, and other states have followed suit. Although the pay is minimal and the risks are high, many inmates volunteer for the chance to contribute, learn skills, and perhaps find employment after their release. While the practice has sparked debates over labor rights and exploitation, no one can deny the very real impact these inmates have during fire season. Without them, many communities might have burned to the ground.[2]
8 Inmates Rescue Guard During South Carolina Prison Riot
In 2012, chaos erupted at Lee Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison in South Carolina. Around 120 violent inmates rioted, attacking a lone officer and taking him hostage. Armed with makeshift shanks, they locked the guard in a closet for hours, injuring him in the process. But while some inmates turned to violence, others chose to step up and save a life.
Using contraband cell phones, several non-rioting inmates contacted authorities and disclosed the guard’s location. Their actions allowed a special operations team to rescue the officer, who, remarkably, survived the ordeal with only minor injuries. In a place defined by violence and fear, a handful of prisoners showed that not everyone in prison is a lost cause.[3]
7 Inmates Save Choking Officer in Nashville
Inmates at Downtown Detention Center save life of a choking correctional officer
In 2024, at the Downtown Detention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, a female corrections officer began choking on her lunch while on duty. As she struggled to breathe, several inmates noticed her distress and leaped into action. One quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver, successfully clearing the obstruction.
When the officer lost consciousness, another inmate grabbed her radio and called for immediate medical assistance. Thanks to their quick reactions and teamwork, the officer survived the ordeal and recovered fully. Their actions not only saved a life but also helped break down barriers between guards and inmates—at least for a moment.[4]
6 Inmate Uses Heimlich on Choking Deputy in Virginia
Inmate SAVES Virginia deputy
During a workforce training program at a Virginia correctional facility in 2023, retired deputy Robert Rensch began choking on a sandwich. Curtis Harrell, an inmate participating in the session, didn’t hesitate. He rushed over and performed the Heimlich maneuver—ironically, a skill Rensch himself had taught Harrell during a previous lesson.
It took several tries, but Harrell eventually dislodged the food and saved the deputy’s life. The moment was a full-circle testament to both the value of education and the potential for rehabilitation. Harrell was later honored with the Citizen’s Service Award by the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office—a rare accolade for an incarcerated individual and well deserved.[5]
5 Arizona Inmates Help After Bus Crash
DPS: All inmates account for after ADOC bus hits semi
A transport bus carrying 50 inmates and staff crashed into an overturned semi-truck on I-8 near Phoenix, leaving multiple people injured. In the chaos that followed, the inmates had a clear chance to escape. Instead, they stayed behind and helped. Some directed traffic and laid down emergency flares, while others provided aid to the injured.
Despite the confusion, every inmate remained accounted for until emergency crews arrived. Their restraint and assistance shocked onlookers—and perhaps even the guards themselves. Officials from the Arizona Department of Corrections publicly commended the inmates and expressed hope that their behavior was a sign of successful rehabilitation in action.[6]
4 Georgia Inmates Save Guard Suffering a Heart Attack
3 Georgia inmates help rescue an unconscious sheriff’s deputy
In 2020, Deputy Warren Hobbs collapsed while patrolling Gwinnett County Jail in Georgia. He fell unconscious and hit his head, lying just outside the inmates’ cells. Mitchell Smalls, one of the inmates, saw what happened and began banging on his cell door to alert others. Soon, the entire block was shouting to draw attention.
The noise roused Hobbs enough to unlock two cell doors, allowing inmates Terry Loveless and Walter Whitehead to rush to his aid. They used Hobbs’s phone and radio to call for help and stayed with him until medics arrived. Hobbs later recovered at home, and the Sheriff’s Office recognized the three inmates as heroes—a rare but powerful moment of mutual humanity behind bars.[7]
3 Inmates Save Fellow Prisoner from Suicide in Minnesota
Leap of faith: Inmates save suicidal man with laundry cart
At Ramsey County Jail in St. Paul, Minnesota, an inmate stood on a second-floor ledge, threatening to jump. Several other inmates yelled for him to stop, but he seemed determined. Three fellow prisoners sprang into action as he began to fall and wheeled a laundry cart beneath him just in time to break his fall.
The man landed perfectly in the cart, suffering only a twisted ankle. Sheriff Bob Fletcher praised the quick-thinking trio as heroes. He rewarded them with commissary credit ahead of their upcoming release. Their instinctive action likely saved a life—and showed how empathy can exist even in the darkest places.[8]
2 Rikers Inmates Respond to Plane Crash
North East Airlines Flight 823
In 1957, a Northwest Airlines flight crashed just moments after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, crash-landing on Rikers Island—home to New York City’s infamous jail complex. With fire and debris all around, the Deputy Warden made a bold decision: he sent 69 inmates from the snow-removal crew to help rescue survivors.
The prisoners carried injured passengers to safety, cleared beds in the prison infirmary, and kept people warm until help arrived. Of the 101 people on board, 81 survived—thanks in part to the bravery of inmates. Not a single one tried to escape. As a reward, 11 prisoners were freed, 11 had their sentences commuted, and 47 received reductions. It was one of the most extraordinary acts of inmate heroism ever recorded.[9]
1 Texas Inmates Break Out of Cell to Save Collapsed Guard
WATCH: Inmates Help Save Texas Jailer’s Life
At a courthouse holding cell in Texas, a guard suddenly slumped over in his chair and collapsed. The inmates inside the basement cell shouted for help, but no one upstairs heard. Realizing time was running out, the group worked together to break out of the locked cell to reach the unconscious officer.
Once out, they grabbed his radio and called for help. Emergency personnel arrived quickly and used a defibrillator to revive him. Despite technically escaping their cell, the inmates weren’t punished—instead, they were thanked for their lifesaving actions. The guard eventually recovered and returned to work, and the inmates proved that sometimes, breaking out is the right thing to do.[10]
fact checked by
Darci Heikkinen
English