HB14 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Beckman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

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

HB14, the Joel Willmore Act, requires rapid notification to state and local agencies and news media, plus public posting and NCIC entry, when an inmate escapes.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the act requires the custody agency to notify a list of officials within 12 hours of an escape, including the Governor, Department of Public Safety, and local law enforcement and prosecutors in the area; it also requires notifying all electronic media outlets within 75 miles that have shown interest. In addition to this, agencies must post a notice on their website within a reasonable time, and enter the escapee into the National Crime Information Center within 12 hours. The act allows a reward of up to $400 for apprehending the escapee, payable from state funds, with payment contingent on a certificate that the inmate has been recaptured.

Who It Affects

• Inmates/escapees — subject to rapid notification, public information sharing about the escape, and potential rewards for apprehension.
• State and local agencies and news media — obligated to receive and disseminate the escape notification, and to post information publicly and coordinate with the National Crime Information Center.

Key Provisions

• Designates the act as the Joel Willmore Act and amends Section 14-3-58, Code of Alabama 1975.
• Upon an inmate escape, the responsible agency must notify specified officials within 12 hours of the escape, including the Governor, Department of Public Safety, sheriff and district attorney of the county where the escape occurred, and the chief of police if applicable.
• Also notify the sheriff and district attorney of the county where the inmate’s last conviction occurred (if known), and the chief of police for that municipality (if known).
• Notify the sheriff and chief of police where the inmate’s home of record is located (if known).
• Notify all electronic media outlets within 75 miles that have expressed interest and broadcast within that radius.
• Notices must include the time, circumstances of the escape, a detailed inmate description, a copy of the inmate’s most recent mug shot, and information about the conviction and offense.
• Agencies must post a notice on their website within a reasonable time, with similar information as the internal notification.
• The agency must enter the escapee into the National Crime Information Center within 12 hours.
• A reward of up to $400 may be paid for the apprehension of the escapee, funded by the state; payment requires a certificate that the inmate has been recaptured.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after the act becomes law.

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