US: New Orleans Jailbreak Caught On Camera, Prisoners Mock Cops With Graffiti
Surveillance footage shows 10 inmates escaping a New Orleans jail overnight. Massive manhunt launched as officials probe security lapses and staffing failures. Three inmates have been caught so far.
A daring escape from a New Orleans jail early Friday has set off a massive manhunt, after surveillance footage revealed 10 inmates slipping out of their cells at night. The footage of the incident, now viral, shows the inmates breaking through a hole in a cell wall before dashing out of the Orleans Parish Prison.
Using blankets to shield themselves from barbed wire, the group scaled a fence, crossed a major interstate, and disappeared into a nearby neighbourhood where they reportedly changed clothes, reported Fox News.
Watch the jailbreak video below.
How Did New Orleans Prison Inmates Escape?
At the time of the escape, the jail's security system failed on multiple fronts. Surveillance cameras were recording, but no one was actively monitoring the live feed. Authorities later revealed that a civilian employee assigned to the pod had stepped away to get food, missing the entire escape.
Three staff members have since been placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation.
What's even more shocking is the fact that the breach took hours to be detected. It was discovered later during a routine headcount at 8:30 AM on Friday, well after the inmates had vanished, the Fox News report stated. Behind the cell's toilet, officers found a gaping hole concealed with graffiti. Phrases like "To[o] Easy LOL" and "WE INNOCENT" were scrawled nearby.
Was It An Inside Job?
Officials are now investigating whether the hole was pre-existing or created from the outside. Chief of Corrections Jeworski "Jay" Mallett cast doubt on the idea that inmates could have made the hole themselves.
"We know this could not have been removed from the inside," Mallett said. "We are investigating who had access, what work was done, and whether this was an inside job."
The escapees were being housed in a minimum-security area, despite the fact that many of them faced serious charges, including murder and attempted murder. At the time, just 36 staffers and four supervisors were on duty, overseeing more than 1,400 inmates.
Faulty cell doors and overall understaffing are being cited as the cause of the security failure.
To watch the jailbreak video, click here.
The Manhunt Intensifies
Law enforcement agencies at every level, including the FBI, US Marshals, and local police, are now racing to locate the escapees. More than 200 officers have joined the search.
So far, at least three inmates have been recaptured, as per Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. Kendell Myles, 20, who was facing a second-degree murder charge, was found hiding under a car in a parking garage at Hotel Monteleone.
The second escapee, who has been caught, was identified as Robert Moody (21). He was initially arrested for battery, drug offences, and possession of stolen property. The third one, Dkenan Dennis (24), had been arrested for armed robbery, extortion, and possession of multiple weapons.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill sharply slammed the handling of the incident. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote: "Someone clearly dropped the ball, and there's no excuse for this."
Murrill also raised concerns about the delay in notifying the public. Sheriff Susan Hutson admitted that no agencies besides the U.S. Marshals Task Force were alerted until 10:30 a.m.—hours after the escape. The general public wasn't informed until later that morning.
"This is beyond unacceptable," Murrill said. "Once these offenders are back in custody, there must be real accountability." Her office has pledged a full investigation. Governor Landry said: "You can run, but you CANNOT HIDE. We will hunt each of you down. There is a $5,000 award for anyone in the public who provides helpful information. Call the Louisiana State Police Fusion Center Hotline at 225-925-4192."
Public Urged to Stay Alert
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick called on residents to remain vigilant. "This is an urgent and serious situation," Kirkpatrick said. "If you see something that doesn't look right, don't hesitate, call 911.
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