Death on Hold

By Burton W. Folsom, Anita Folsom

A death row inmate finds redemption and hope through an unexpected friendship.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 108 ratings

272 pages

$24.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1983, Burt Folsom read about Mitch Rutledge, a remorseful death row inmate with a low IQ. Ignoring the dismissive article, Burt reached out, uncovering Mitch's hidden intelligence and potential. As Mitch taught himself to read and write, he transformed into a prison leader and advocate. 'Death on Hold' chronicles this unlikely friendship, exploring themes of grace, redemption, and the power of second chances. Can a man condemned to die find a new purpose and voice behind bars?

From the publisher

In January 1983 Burt Folsom read a story in Time about Mitch Rutledge, a man on death row with an IQ of 84 who said he was sorry for what he did. “Forget him,” the last line of the story read. But Burt wrote Mitch a letter and discovered a man more interesting and intelligent than the article revealed.Burt and his wife, Anita, began a friendship with Mitch and saw him become a leader and role model for others in prison, teaching himself to read and write (starting with copying down the spelling of items he knew from TV commercials) and becoming a national spokesman on prison life.Death on Hold is the amazing story of their friendship, and of grace, reconciliation, and redemption for a man without hope who was given a future.

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