Orleans Justice Center where the recent inmate escape occurred
A significant security breach at the Orleans Justice Center resulted in the escape of ten inmates, with seven still at large. The incident occurred during a guard’s absence. Investigations reveal evidence of tampering with locks, prompting suspensions of staff amid fears of inside help. Law enforcement agencies are intensifying searches using facial recognition technology. The community was left vulnerable due to delayed notifications about the escape, raising questions about the facility’s security and management after prior concerns were ignored.
New Orleans – A significant security breach at the Orleans Justice Center led to the escape of ten inmates in the early hours of Friday morning. The audacious breakout occurred around 1 a.m., while the lone guard assigned to their cell pod was away retrieving food. As a result, seven of these escapees, many facing serious charges including murder, remain at large as law enforcement agencies intensify their search efforts.
Surveillance footage captured the moment the escapees sprinted out of the facility, with some wearing orange clothing and others in white. They utilized blankets to scale a fence, successfully navigating around barbed wire as they vanished from the scene. The absence of the inmates went unnoticed for over seven hours, only discovered during a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m., raising significant questions about operational security at the facility.
In response to the breakout, three employees at the jail have been suspended pending an internal investigation. Although it remains unclear whether any staff members were involved in facilitating the escape, officials suspect that inside help may have played a crucial role. Investigators have uncovered evidence of deliberate tampering with the jail’s locks and plumbing fixtures, further indicating possible collusion.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson pointed to “defective locks” and other facility deficiencies as contributing factors to the escape. Despite having raised concerns about these security issues and advocating for necessary funding and repairs, the problems persisted. The escape route involved a precut hole behind a toilet, accompanied by messages scrawled on the wall, demonstrating premeditated planning by the escapees.
In the wake of the breakout, law enforcement has been employing facial recognition technology to track down fugitives and has already identified two of the escapees, with one captured in the French Quarter and another apprehended near the Chef Menteur Highway. To date, three escapees—Kendall Myles (20), Robert Moody (21), and Dkenan Dennis—have been recaptured. Myles is notable for a history of previous escapes from juvenile detention facilities.
The escapees, ranging in age from 19 to 42, are linked to serious criminal charges that include murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams criticized the sheriff’s office for its delayed notification of law enforcement regarding the escape, highlighting the potential danger posed to the community due to this oversight.
In a show of commitment to recapture the remaining escapees, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has issued a $5,000 reward for information leading to their location, while Crime Stoppers has also announced additional rewards for tips. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials are currently collaborating on the search, with over 200 personnel actively engaged in the effort, combing both neighborhood streets and communications to piece together information on the escapees.
Adding further complexity to the situation, the sheriff’s office acknowledged operational challenges, citing a staffing level at approximately 60%, which has exacerbated the difficulties in maintaining security protocols. The Orleans Justice Center has been under federal monitoring due to previous issues with facility conditions and security breaches.
As the community began to understand the severity of the situation, it became clear that vital information had not been communicated promptly, leaving residents vulnerable during the hours leading up to the eventual notification. The ongoing investigation aims not only to capture the remaining escapees but also to evaluate staff performance and security protocols, ensuring measures are implemented to prevent any future incidents of this nature.
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