News Summary
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has taken decisive action following a jailbreak at the Orleans Parish Correctional Facility where ten inmates escaped. An executive order has been signed mandating investigations and audits to enhance accountability and security in the state’s criminal justice system. Five of the escapees have been recaptured while five remain at large. The incident has raised significant concerns about jail operations, oversight, and public safety, prompting a thorough review of practices to prevent future escapes.
New Orleans, Louisiana – Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed an executive order that mandates immediate actions from several state agencies in response to a significant jailbreak at the Orleans Parish Correctional Facility. The incident occurred early Friday morning, leading to the escape of ten inmates who managed to break through a wall by removing a toilet. They left behind graffiti that read “to [sic] easy LOL.” As of now, five of the escapees have been recaptured while five others are still at large.
Governor Landry’s executive order highlights the critical need for transparency and accountability in the state’s criminal justice system. To facilitate this, Attorney General Liz Murrill has been tasked with investigating the jailbreak. Additionally, the state inspector general will oversee audits of case files related to the incident, ensuring that the circumstances surrounding the escape are thoroughly examined.
The Louisiana Department of Corrections will conduct a review of jail operations to guarantee compliance with safety standards and protocols. In an effort to enhance security, state inmates will be relocated to more secure facilities. The Louisiana Supreme Court and the state Judiciary Commission will also review judicial performance and the efficiency of case tracking, addressing issues that may have contributed to the jailbreak.
A prison maintenance worker has been arrested in connection with aiding the escape. Sterling Williams faces multiple felony charges, including Principal to Simple Escape. Reports indicate that he may have been compelled to assist in the jailbreak under the threat of violence from an inmate. Two additional individuals, Cortnie Harris and Corvanntay Baptiste, were also arrested for allegedly assisting the escapees following the incident.
The escape occurred shortly after midnight on Friday when inmates were able to break through defective locks and access an unsecured plumbing chase through a metal toilet. At the time, security cameras in parts of the jail were not operational, and a civilian technician had left the control area unattended, further compromising security measures.
As of Tuesday night, five of the ten escapees have been recaptured and transferred to the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola. Among those still at large is Antoine Massey, who has a history of previous escapes. This breakout has raised alarms in the local community, prompting officials to encourage residents to stay vigilant and report any tips related to the fugitives.
The situation has also raised concerns regarding the operational budget of the Orleans Parish Jail and transparency within the Sheriff’s Office. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson accepted full responsibility for the jailbreak and acknowledged delays in notifying law enforcement and the public about the escape.
In an effort to address these pressing issues, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety is deploying experienced auditors to investigate jail operations and security concerns. Notably, the last audit of the Orleans Parish Jail took place in 2014.
Governor Landry’s executive order aims to restore effective and legal jail operations in the state, stressing that the criminal justice system operates on a foundation that requires cooperation from all its elements. With ongoing investigations, state officials are working diligently to mitigate the fallout from this jailbreak and prevent future occurrences.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WWLTV: New Orleans Jail Escape Update
- Fox News: Jail Worker Arrested in Escape
- WDSU: New Orleans Inmates Escape
- Wikipedia: Prisons in the United States
- USA Today: New Orleans Jail Escape Explained
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Criminal Justice
- CNN: New Orleans Inmate Escape Overview
- Google Search: New Orleans Jail Escape
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
