In the early hours of Friday, a New Orleans correctional facility experienced a significant inmate escape after a monitoring technician left for food. With the prison locked down since 10:30 PM, several inmates began tampering with plumbing fixtures, creating a small exit. A total of ten prisoners escaped, leaving a cryptic message behind.
Authorities discovered the escape when head counts were conducted later that morning, prompting a manhunt across Louisiana and seven neighboring states. Criticism arose regarding the response time; citizens were not informed of the escape until nearly noon, with local officials unaware of the situation until then.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams expressed frustration over the lack of timely notifications, stating the escape represented a failure in basic responsibilities related to inmate management. The Sheriff’s Office claimed they had notified various agencies, but confusion plagued communication.
In the aftermath, three prison employees were suspended, and investigations began into facility security and management accountability. Many officials noted that structural issues, including inoperable security cameras, contributed to the escape. Law enforcement has since offered rewards for information leading to the capture of the remaining inmates.
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