On Friday, approximately 12 inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail, prompting an urgent manhunt by local and state law enforcement agencies. Authorities have indicated that they are considering the possibility that the escape was an inside job, given the unusual and well-crafted nature of the escape route, which included a hidden hole behind a toilet in a first-floor cell. The escape took place between Thursday night and Friday morning, with officials confirming that the hole could not have been created from the inside, raising questions about how it was made and who had access to it.
Chief of Corrections Jeworski ‘Jay’ Mallett emphasized the seriousness of the situation, expressing concern about the possibility of an inside job and stating that authorities are examining all possibilities to understand exactly who accessed the area. He noted that the hole could not have been made from the inside, which may have led to the investigation into potential internal complicity. The inmates in question were held in a minimum-custody facility at the Orleans Parish Prison, some of whom are facing serious charges such as murder. This has raised concerns about the safety of the facility and the potential vulnerabilities in its security system.
Among the security issues identified by officials are faulty cell doors and understaffing, with the jail currently operating at only 60% of its staffing capacity. At the time of the escape, only four supervisors and 36 staff members were monitoring the 1,400 inmates held there, raising concerns about the adequacy of the staff-to-inmate ratio and the ability to prevent such an escape. The escapees were not discovered missing until a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, highlighting potential lapses in monitoring and routine procedures at the facility.
Nighttime patrols and surveillance were also under scrutiny, as the escape occurred during the hours when the facility is typically less monitored. The New Orleans Police Department Superintendent, Anne Kirkpatrick, has stated that the situation is urgent and serious, emphasizing the need for public vigilance and urging residents to report any suspicious activity. Murrill, the Attorney General, has called for a full investigation into the circumstances of the escape, calling the incident unacceptable and emphasizing the need for accountability and improved security measures to prevent such an occurrence in the future.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that one of the escaped inmates, charged with second-degree murder, was found hiding beneath a car in the Hotel Monteleone parking garage. He was taken back to the jail by Louisiana State Police and re-booked with a new charge for simple escape. The remaining individuals are still being actively pursued by the sheriff’s office and law enforcement agencies, with assistance from the FBI and U.S. Marshals. The FBI has also offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of any of the escapees.
Furthermore, the escape has sparked discussions about the broader issues facing Louisiana’s prison system, including reports of inmates being held past their release dates, which the Justice Department has argued is a systemic issue. The incident has heightened the call for improved oversight and accountability in the management of correctional facilities to ensure the safety of both inmates and the public.