Convicted murderer got over 5-hour head start after prison escape before local police were notified: official

Convicted murderer Jacob Allen Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tennessee, with prison staff discovering his absence late Sunday night. Local police were not notified until over five hours later, by which time Morley had stolen a pickup truck and fled the state. A manhunt is underway for Morley, who is considered dangerous and is serving a life sentence for murder.

• Jacob Allen Morley, convicted of first-degree murder, escaped from Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, Tennessee.
• Prison staff noticed Morley missing around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, but Tiptonville police were not notified until 4:40 a.m. Monday, a delay of over five hours.
• Morley was last seen at the prison around 4 p.m. Sunday and later stole a pickup truck around 1 a.m. Monday.
• The stolen truck was found abandoned in Marion, Illinois, but Morley was not located.
• A reward of $15,000 is offered for information leading to Morley’s capture.
• Morley is described as dangerous and is on the state’s most wanted list.
• The escape highlights concerns about notification delays in prison security, with former officials calling the delay ‘unacceptable’.
• The Tennessee Department of Correction is facing scrutiny, following a recent botched execution.