I recently penned an op-ed about Burt and Anita Folsom’s book, Death on Hold. In it, they tell the amazing story of a man who committed a terrible crime but found salvation on death row. I wrote,
While in jail awaiting his trial, Rutledge observed a young prisoner hiding under a table reading a Bible. Learning that the youth was being harassed by a jailhouse bully, Rutledge intervened on his behalf. Rutledge had never prayed before, but that night he prayed, “God, the little dude under the table said his mother said if you want to know if God is real, ask God to touch you. God, I’m asking You to touch me.” Rutledge later said, “Immediately, a beautiful, warm feeling came over me.”
However, his story did not end there. He became a Christian, role model, and exemplary inmate:
He continued his relationship with God and ministered to fellow death-row inmates, but his family and friends had deserted him. “God, I said I am alone,” Rutledge pleaded. “I don’t have anybody. I said please send someone in my life that will love me and care about me and be there for me.”
His prayers were answered when three strangers who, after reading a disparaging article about Rutledge, contacted him to say that his life still had value.
Mitch’s story should remind all of us that no one is beyond redemption, even those convicted of murder:
“When I think back on my life,” Rutledge writes, “I know that God is real and that He intervened in my life to turn things around. I hope my story will lead others to ask Jesus to come into their heart and change them.” If Rutledge can find redemption and a new start in prison, why not others on death row?
If you’re interested in reading this amazing book, you can find it here.