Tennessee Inmate Escapes Prison, Public Urged to Assist

A man serving life for the murder of his co-worker has escaped from a prison in northwest Tennessee. Authorities reported that Jacob Morley, 28, slipped through a fence at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville. They noticed his absence on Sunday at around 11:30 p.m.

Security footage showed Morley, in his prison uniform, fleeing the facility. However, officials have not disclosed details of how he maneuvered through the fence. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) released additional footage of Morley stealing a white 2008 Ford F-350 around 1 a.m. on Tuesday from Lake County. The truck bore Tennessee plates and a Lindamood Planting Company logo on its door.

Morley remains on the TBI’s “most wanted” list. The bureau has announced a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his capture. They urge locals in the Lake County area to check security systems for any signs of Morley or the stolen vehicle.

Authorities have conducted extensive searches around the prison, located 90 miles north of Memphis in a remote area. Morley, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 240 pounds, has brown hair and green eyes. He was sentenced for the murder of Cody Birchfield in 2022, whose body was discovered in a box under Morley’s home in Carter County.

In addition to first-degree murder, Morley was convicted of aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, vandalism, and evading arrest. In 2022, he led police on a chase ending in North Carolina when deputies approached his residence.

The Northwest Correctional Complex has seen several violent incidents among inmates and staff. A recent grand jury returned numerous indictments for murders and assaults. The prison, housing up to 1,776 men, also accommodates minors convicted as adults. An audit in 2023 revealed a 61% vacancy rate for correctional officers, indicating staffing challenges within the Tennessee Department of Correction.