Introduction to the Incident
Three of ten inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail were apprehended by Friday night, while authorities continued to search for seven others in the jailbreak that may have had inside help, officials said.
The escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center was discovered during a routine head count around 8:30 a.m. Friday, and there are signs that it was done with the help of people “inside of our department,” Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said.
The Escape and Investigation
The inmates broke out by breaching a wall, Hutson said. Video shows several inmates jarring open a cell door at 12:22 a.m., then inmates enter that cell, and at 1 a.m. video shows them leaving a loading dock door, the sheriff’s office said. At 1:19 a.m., video shows them scaling a fence with blankets, it said.
“They were able to break open a door,” Hutson said. “They were still able to exit the jail about 1:01 a.m. after breaching a wall behind a toilet in the jail.”
Details of the Escape
Their clothes were later found discarded, the sheriff’s office said. Hutson earlier told reporters that an employee had been in the pod module at the time, but the sheriff’s office later said that a civilian corrections technician monitor had stepped away for food. By the time the person returned to their post, the men had already broken into the cell and had fled, so the employee did not know an escape had occurred, officials said.
Investigation and Recapture Efforts
Photos released by the sheriff’s office show the inside of a cell where the escape is believed to have happened. A large hole was cut behind a toilet with phrases such as "We Innocent" and "To Easy LoL" written above it.
When asked by a reporter if power tools had been used, Chief of Corrections Jay Mallett said it was something the department was looking into. "It’s more than just a breach of security, it was some type of help," he said at a news conference. "It would definitely be some type of tool used other than just the strength of a sheer individual."
Status of the Inmates
The sheriff’s office initially said that 11 inmates had escaped. Hutson clarified that one man, Keith Lewis, had been moved to a different cell and was never on the run. Authorities announced the arrests of three of the inmates over the course of Friday, the most recent shortly after 10 p.m. when the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office said that Dkenan Dennis, 24, was in custody.
Public Response and Investigation
Gov. Jeff Landry on X celebrated the arrest of the third escaped inmate Friday night. "3 down 7 to go, and we ARE NOT slowing down!" he wrote, adding "LOCK THEM UP!" Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said her office was calling for an investigation and will "do whatever it takes" to determine what happened. "Someone clearly dropped the ball and there’s no excuse for this," she wrote in a post on X. "I am calling for a full investigation — This is beyond unacceptable, and once these offenders are back in custody, there must be real accountability."
Conclusion
The escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center highlights concerns about jail security and potential collusion from within. As the investigation continues and more inmates are recaptured, the public remains on high alert. The incident underscores the need for rigorous security protocols and swift action in the face of such breaches.
FAQs
- Q: How many inmates escaped from the New Orleans jail?
A: Initially reported as 11, it was later clarified that 10 inmates escaped. - Q: How did the inmates escape?
A: The inmates broke out by breaching a wall, with indications that they may have received assistance from inside the department. - Q: How many inmates have been recaptured?
A: As of Friday night, three of the ten inmates had been apprehended. - Q: What are the charges against the escaped inmates?
A: Charges include murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, armed robbery with a firearm, and other offenses. - Q: Is there an investigation into the escape?
A: Yes, an investigation is underway, with the involvement of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
