The Orleans Parish Jail where seven inmates made their escape.
In a stunning jailbreak early Friday, May 16, 2023, seven armed inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans by removing a toilet and sink, leaving authorities in shock. Despite being undetected for seven hours, three inmates have since been recaptured while a manhunt continues for the remaining four. Governor Landry announced a reward for information leading to their capture and criticized the local criminal justice system’s failure, prompting investigations into the jail’s security practices.
Seven inmates broke out of the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans early on Friday, May 16, 2023, in what Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has referred to as a “massive jailbreak.” The escape occurred around 1:30 a.m. when the inmates removed a toilet and sink from a wall to create an exit. The escapists reportedly left a message on the wall, indicating how easy it was to escape.
The jailbreak went undetected for approximately seven hours, with authorities discovering the missing inmates only during a head count at 8:30 a.m. By May 19, three of the inmates—Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis—had been recaptured, leaving four still at large. Law enforcement is currently working under the assumption that the fugitives may still be in Louisiana, though their precise locations remain unknown.
The state police, in collaboration with federal agencies including the FBI, Secret Service, and U.S. Marshals, have launched a comprehensive manhunt for the remaining escapees. State Police Chief Robert Hodges indicated that the inmates may have received assistance from family and friends during their flight.
Governor Landry announced a reward of $20,000 for information leading to the capture of each fugitive. This includes contributions of $10,000 from the FBI, $5,000 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and another $5,000 from Crimestoppers, aiming to incentivize the public to come forward with any leads.
The circumstances surrounding the escape have provoked significant criticism of the local criminal justice system. Governor Landry criticized what he called a “progressive criminal justice system” for enabling the escape and vowed to implement executive orders for audits and investigations into the jail’s policies and practices.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff, Susan Hutson, who faced backlash for her handling of the situation, acknowledged existing infrastructure issues at the jail, including broken locks and malfunctioning security cameras. Sheriff Hutson further confirmed suspicions that inside assistance played a role in the escape. Following the incident, three employees from the sheriff’s office were suspended, and an internal investigation is currently underway.
The Orleans Parish District Attorney, Jason Williams, described the events leading to the escape as a total failure of basic responsibilities. He also emphasized the considerable delay in notifying the public about the situation.
Authorities confirmed that most of the escapees were facing or had been convicted of serious violent felony charges, including murder. The ongoing manhunt involves over 200 personnel from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, with officials urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings or information regarding the escapees immediately.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement is focusing on the jail’s compliance with correctional standards and exploring the possibility of staff complicity in the jailbreak. With much at stake regarding public safety, officials are keen to bring the remaining escapees back into custody as swiftly as possible.
News Summary Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr. is leading an investigation into…
News Summary In a narrow vote, House Republicans have approved President Trump's $4.5 trillion tax…
News Summary The U.S. Supreme Court has mandated further arguments regarding Louisiana's congressional map, which…
News Summary The House of Representatives voted to approve President Trump's tax reform bill, which…
News Summary Southeast Louisiana is set for a festive Fourth of July celebration with fireworks,…
News Summary The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is set to celebrate its 25th…