On May 16, 2025, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, in a coordinated and daring jailbreak that has sparked a massive manhunt and raised serious concerns about jail security and oversight. (The Guardian)
🚨 How the Escape Happened
The inmates exploited defective locks and breached a wall behind a toilet in a cell to access a maintenance area. They then exited through a dock door used for supply deliveries and scaled a wall to flee the facility. Surveillance footage confirmed their escape route, and graffiti left behind included taunting messages like "Too Easy LOL" and "Catch us when you can" .(People.com, The Daily Beast)
🧍♂️ Inmates Involved
The escapees, all male and aged between 21 and 42, were facing serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Notably, Derrick Groves had been convicted of multiple murders but had not yet been sentenced due to legal complications .(WSJ, The Guardian)
🛡️ Security Lapses and Internal Investigation
Sheriff Susan Hutson acknowledged that the escape would have been "impossible without help" from inside the facility. Three employees have been suspended pending an investigation into their potential involvement. The jail was operating at only 60% staffing capacity at the time, and a civilian employee was present in the control module during the escape .(WDSU, WSJ)
🔍 Manhunt and Recaptures
As of the latest reports, three of the ten escapees have been recaptured:
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Kendell Myles was found hiding under a car in a hotel garage in the French Quarter .(ABC News)
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Robert Moody was apprehended later that evening .(ABC News)
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Dkenan Dennis was taken back into custody on Dale Street .(https://www.fox8live.com)
The remaining seven escapees are still at large, and authorities warn they should be considered armed and dangerous. A full-scale search involving local, state, and federal agencies is ongoing.(The Washington Post, The Guardian)
🏛️ Broader Implications
The Orleans Justice Center has been under a federal consent decree since 2016 due to past civil rights violations. This incident has intensified scrutiny over the facility's operations, staffing, and infrastructure. The escape occurred shortly after a narrowly approved property tax renewal intended to support jail maintenance and staffing, raising further questions about the facility's security and oversight .(The Guardian)
