News Summary
A significant jailbreak resulted in ten inmates escaping from the Orleans Parish Justice Center, marking one of the largest prison breaks in Louisiana’s history. Five escapees were caught, while five are still at large, raising community safety concerns. A maintenance worker has been arrested for allegedly aiding the escape, and local law enforcement has mobilized over 200 officers to search for the fugitives amidst heightened scrutiny of jail security protocols.
New Orleans – A significant jailbreak occurred early Friday morning at the Orleans Parish Justice Center, as ten inmates escaped the facility in one of the largest prison breaks in Louisiana’s history. While five of the inmates have been apprehended, five others remain at large, prompting heightened public safety concerns and a swift law enforcement response.
The escape took place around 1 a.m. when the inmates managed to remove a toilet and sink from their cell. They then cut through steel bars to create a rectangular hole in the wall. This breach in security was exacerbated by an improperly functioning security system and the alleged assistance of a maintenance worker. Following their escape, the inmates left a misspelled message on the wall reading, “to easy LOL,” before crawling through the hole and exiting the facility via a loading dock. After escaping, they shed their uniforms, scaled a wall surrounding the jail, and crossed Interstate 10.
Among the escapees, five have been captured. They have been identified as Corey Boyd (19), Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, and Gary Price. Authorities state that the inmates face serious charges, including murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
In the wake of the jailbreak, Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the facility, has been arrested and charged for allegedly aiding the escape. Williams is accused of turning off the water to the cell under threat from an inmate. He faces one count of malfeasance in office and ten counts of being a principal to simple escape. Additional arrests were made, including two women, Cortnie Harris (32) and Corvanntay Baptiste (38). Harris is suspected of transporting two of the escapees to various locations, while Baptiste is accused of providing food to Corey Boyd, one of the captured inmates.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Susan Hutson, is under intense scrutiny following this major security breach. In response to the crisis, Sheriff Hutson has temporarily suspended her reelection campaign and initiated multiple audits and investigations to assess jail operations and security protocols. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety is deploying auditors to evaluate the security and operational procedures, amidst growing concerns over communication failures and inadequate funding raised during city council meetings. Sheriff Hutson has accepted full accountability for the security failures while pointing to staff complicity in the organization of the escape.
In response to the jailbreak, local law enforcement has mobilized an extensive search effort, involving over 200 officers. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could lead to the recapture of the remaining fugitives. Witnesses and staff associated with the prosecution have expressed safety concerns, leading some to leave the area due to fears following the mass escape.
This incident highlights ongoing issues surrounding prison security in the region and raises critical questions about the management of the Orleans Parish Justice Center. As the search for the remaining escapees continues, the community is grappling with broader implications for public safety and the necessity of reforming jail operations to prevent future incidents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Ten Inmates Escape Orleans Justice Center Amid Security Concerns
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Maintenance Worker Arrested After Jailbreak at Orleans Parish Jail
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Fifth Inmate Recaptured After New Orleans Jailbreak
Jailbreak in New Orleans Involves Maintenance Worker Arrest
Inmate Escape at Orleans Parish Jail Raises Security Concerns
Massive Jailbreak: Seven Armed Inmates Escape Orleans Parish Jail
Additional Resources
- CNN: New Orleans Inmate Escape
- WWLTV: New Orleans Jail Escape
- ABC News: New Orleans Jail Employee Arrested
- WDSU: New Orleans Inmates Escape
- Reuters: Ten Inmates Escape New Orleans Jail
- Wikipedia: Prison Escape
- Google Search: New Orleans Jail Escape
- Google Scholar: New Orleans Jail Escape
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Prison Security
- Google News: New Orleans Inmate Escape
