“I’m treated more like a human being here, which says a lot for the staff.”

Marshall Summers is a resident at the John R. Lindsey State Jail in Jacksboro, Texas. He not only appreciates the culture of the facility but has applied himself in programming in other areas to prepare for release.

He’s doing very well and has earned the position of porter, assisting the facility’s front office and caring for the grounds. In fulfilling his responsibilities, he could have never guessed the new friend he’d make. Meet Johnny.

“So Johnny just came over here as a stray,” Marshall explains. “And first he was digging in trash cans, and he wouldn’t really let nobody next to him. And then our training manager, she made friends with him first, and he got his name, Johnny. The warden named him. And he kind of just hung around. And so, he just kind of became part of this place.”

Though not officially recognized as part of the staff, Johnny, nonetheless (for now) has found a home and he plays a role in the overall environment of the facility.

“Johnny,” laughs staff member Monique Mallard, “he brightens everyone’s day. He just gives you a sense of home with him. He’s not wanting anything but your affection. And it just brings happiness to people.”

While Johnny is a friend to any and all, he does have a favorite.

“He goes with inmate Summers, who’s out there mowing and taking care of the outside grounds everywhere he goes,” says Warden Brian Collins. “And he’s kind of become attached to him.”

“I’d like to say that I made friends with him,” says Marshall. “But really and truthfully, he just kind of picked me. I make sure he’s fed and watered. I groom him. He gets mad when I bathe him. And he’s just he’s been a real asset here. I’ve seen him change a lot of people’s attitudes when they come to work. They come to work and they see Johnny and he makes them smile.”

Warden Collins has told Marshall that upon his release and after he’s settled in, he’ll be able to claim Johnny as his own and bring him home with him. In looking to that day, whether things work out with Johnny or not, Marshall is determined to take all he’s learned while incarcerated and build a productive life for himself and his loved ones.

“I would love to be able to leave a legacy for my kids instead of a saga,” he says. “I don’t want to leave a sad story for them. I want to be the champion that they talk about whenever they get older to their kids. You know how I’ve overcome my problems and left something for them when I leave.”

For now, at least, and especially with his love for the changed man in Marshall, maybe Johnny represents the BIONIC culture he has become a part of.

“I’ve heard it said several times from several different people that we don’t throw anybody away at MTC,” says Warden Collins. “And everybody matters. And we’re going to treat everybody like they matter because that’s just the right thing to do. And it’s not just buzzwords with this company. It’s something that we mean and that we feel and those of us in it absolutely understand it. And it’s easy to try to strive for that when you get supported so much from above you to be that way. And, you know, I’m just proud to be working for a company like this.”