HB31 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Paul Beckman
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Prisoners, escaped inmates, notification of state and local agencies and news media, liability limited, Joel Willmore Act, Sec. 14-3-58 am'd.
Summary: HB31, the Joel Willmore Act, expands escape-notification rules to require immediate alerts to multiple state and local agencies and news media when an inmate escapes.
What This Bill Does
If passed, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to notify numerous state and local officials and all electronic media within 12 hours of an escape, post details on its website, and enter the inmate into the National Crime Information Center within 12 hours. It also allows a reward of up to $400 for the inmate’s apprehension and outlines how payment is approved. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Inmates who escape and the state/local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies involved in responding, who are subject to expanded notification requirements and cooperation.
News media and the public, who will receive alerts and have access to information about the escape (including mug shots) through notifications and the department's website.

Key Provisions
Notification within 12 hours to: Governor; Department of Public Safety; sheriff and district attorney of the county where the escape occurred; chief of police where the escape occurred if in a municipality; sheriff and district attorney of the county where the last conviction occurred; chief of police where the last conviction occurred if in a municipality; sheriff of the inmate's home-of-record county; chief of police where the home-of-record is located if in a municipality; and all electronic media outlets broadcasting within 75 miles of the escape site.
Notification must include time, circumstances, a description of the inmate, and a copy of the inmate's most recent mug shot, plus information on where and when convicted and for what offense.
The Department of Corrections must post the escape notification on its website with the same details.
The Director of Central Records must enter the inmate into the National Crime Information Center within 12 hours of the escape.
The Department of Corrections and the board may offer a reward not exceeding $400 for the apprehension of the inmate, payable from the state treasury’s convict labor proceeds, with payment contingent on recapture and restoration to custody.
Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Prisons and Prisoners