Orleans Parish Sheriff Provides Update on 10 Inmate Escapes from Orleans Justice Center

Escape Details and Investigation

• 🔍 Ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in the early hours of Friday morning.
• 🛠️ Evidence suggests toiletries, bolts, and fixtures were removed, indicating the escape was not from the inside.
• 🕵️‍♂️ An investigation is underway to determine who entered the areas, if any work was being done, and if it was an inside job.
• 🤝 The Sheriff's office is collaborating with local, federal, and state partners to locate the escapees.

Facility Issues and Staffing Shortages

• ⚠️ The incident highlights the urgent need for repairs and upgrades to the facility, particularly for functional doors and locks.
• 📉 The jail is operating at 60% staffing, with a need for 150 more deputies for the current jail and 50 for a new facility.
• 📢 The Sheriff has been actively advocating for more funding to address security vulnerabilities and improve safety for detainees and staff.

Staff Response and Timeline

• 👨‍✈️ On the overnight shift, there were four supervisors and 36 staff members present.
• 🚧 The suspected exit point was behind a cell wall, an area not typically monitored by routine daily inspections.
• ⚡ Investigators are examining if power tools were used, as the breach required more than just physical strength.
• ⏳ The exact timeline of events and why a technician did not alert staff earlier is still being narrowed down as part of the ongoing investigation.

Public and Family Involvement

• 🗣️ The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any information regarding the escapees' whereabouts.
• 🤝 Some family members of the escapees have reached out to assist in the search efforts.