Inmate charged with kidnapping, assault back in custody after escaping Walker County Jail

WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - An inmate who escaped from the Walker County Jail is back in custody, according to Jasper Police.

Walker County Commissioner Steve Miller said Thomas Bell escaped the jail around 2 p.m. He is believed to have left on foot wearing an orange uniform. He was in jail on charges of first-degree kidnapping and first-degree assault.

Court records claim that in April 2026, Bell abducted a man, before then binding him with duck tape, physically assaulting and shooting him.

He was confirmed to be back in custody shortly before 4 p.m.

Friday evening, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith said Bell escaped after a door was inadvertently left unsecured and not fully closed by the kitchen staff.

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