Inmates escape from county jail Sunday night

Published 3:31 am Wednesday, December 14, 2005

By Staff
Staff reports
The Escambia County sheriff's office is investigating the escape of three inmates from the Escambia County Detention Center Sunday night.
According to Sheriff Grover Smith, all three inmates escaped from Unit 2 by exiting through a hallway door by jamming the locking mechanism on the door. The doorway led to the fire escape door on top of the roof. The inmates broke the pad lock off the door and got on the roof of the jail. Once on top of the building they jumped off.
According to a news release, one of the inmates turned himself back into the Detention Center. Chris Baggett, 26, faces additional escape charges once the investigation is completed. Baggett was being held in the Detention Center on escape, second degree and burglary, third degree.
The other two inmates are Donald Ray Jordan and Woodie Thompson.
Jordan is described as a white male, 47. He weighs approximately 180 pounds and is 5'8”. His previous address was listed as 611 Perch Street, Atmore. Jordan was being held in the Detention Center for escape – third degree, assault – third degree and bond revocation.
Thompson is described as a white male, 37. He weighs 155 pounds and is 5'7”. His previous address was listed as Jernigan Road in Brewton. Thompson was being held in the Detention Center for leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, escape – second degree, burglary – third degree, violation of bond and public intoxication.
Anyone with information about the two escapees is advised to contact the Escambia County Sheriff's office immediately at 251-809-0741.
On Monday, the Escambia County Commission approved a contract to repair and replace the majority of the locks at the Detention Center. Smith said that the repairs should eliminate the chances of an escape being possible in the future. Both damaged locks in the escape have been repaired on a temporary basis.