Quick-thinking Folsom inmates rescue prison staffer

It seemed like a typical morning for California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) Prison Industries supervisor Jeff Snoozy, until suddenly he felt ill and soon found himself lying on the floor being aided by two incarcerated participants. Snoozy, who oversees the California Prison Industry Authority Braille Program at Folsom State Prison said he thought that he was having a heart attack. After barely managing to get into his office, Snoozy said, he dropped to his knees trying to call the emergency line but could not reach the phone and was the only one in his closed office. "I grabbed a water bottle and threw it at the door for someone to hear me because the door was closed." said Snoozy. Incarcerated individual Duane Lewis, a lead Braille Team member, came to the door and saw Snoozy on the floor. Immediately, multiple Braille Program participants came to Snoozy's aid. Robbie Williams, a Braille Program participant with medical experience, rushed to Snoozy's side. Prior to being incarcerated, Williams was a nursing assistant and in-house paramedic for more than 30 years. He acted quickly, checking Snoozy's pulse, pupils and supporting his head with rolled-up sheets. He also used wet rags to keep him cool. "Jeff is the kind of supervisor that everybody wants. He takes an interest in everybody and what's going on with them," said Williams. "All of the things that I did for Jeff were instinctual. There wasn't anything that I needed to think about." While Williams was attending to Snoozy, another Braille Program participant of three years, Jeffrey Thomas, noticed that there was a delay of response to the personal alarm being activated. He ran to the California Prison Industry Authority Sign & Print Shop where he informed Officer Hailey of the situation. Immediately, Officer Hailey got on the radio. Soon after, Sgt. A. Frankina responded to Snoozy's office, where he saw Williams kneeling next to him. With extreme pain in Snoozy's back and chest, Williams kept him comfortable until help got there. "I am very grateful to the incarcerated individuals that came to my aid. Digital Services is very remote and without their help, there is a good chance that I would not be here today," said Snoozy. "I'm lucky they responded and I'm lucky they were there." When Folsom State Prison Fire arrived at the scene, Williams calmly relayed all pertinent medical information and observations to the fire captain. Snoozy was rushed to UC Davis Medical Center and immediately went into an 11-hour open heart surgery. He is expected to make a full recovery. "Jeff is a great boss but we would have done this for any other human being in distress," said Thomas. "But it was a plus to be able to help him. We have made great strides in prison. We had an opportunity to help someone and make a difference. You can't put a price on that."