COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law this week a bill that would establish an alert system for residents nearby a convict escaped from custody.

When a convicted person escapes custody while incarcerated or awaiting adjudication at a a jail, workhouse or correctional institution, the Escaped Convict Alert Program would allow a law enforcement agency to activate the alert system for the area or region surrounding the facility, according to legislation text. The escaped person must be convicted of, indicted for or charged with a felony offense.

The text clarifies that community-based correctional facilities and halfway houses are not considered to be any of the three listed facilities.

A press release regarding the legislation from the Ohio House of Representatives says t

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