To Easy LOL; New Orleans Jail Break Suspected To Be An Inside Job
In a stunning and meticulously planned escape, ten inmates—including several facing murder and violent felony charges—broke out of the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans early Friday morning. The escape has prompted a citywide manhunt and raised serious concerns about jail security and staffing.
The breakout occurred just after midnight when the inmates exploited a hole behind a toilet in their cell to access a maintenance corridor. From there, they breached a wall, navigated a hallway, and exited through a loading dock door. Surveillance footage shows them scaling a fence and crossing an interstate highway in their orange jumpsuits. Graffiti left behind included taunting messages such as “Too Easy LOL” and “Catch us when you can”.
The escape went unnoticed until an 8:30 a.m. headcount, nearly eight hours later. Authorities suspect the involvement of inside help, as the escape route would have been nearly impossible to navigate without assistance.
Among the escapees were individuals facing serious charges, including murder, weapons offenses, and domestic abuse. As of the latest reports, only one inmate, Kendell Myles—who has a history of previous escapes—has been recaptured. The remaining nine are considered armed and dangerous. People.com
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals, have joined the search efforts. Authorities are urging the public to report any information about the fugitives and have warned that anyone aiding them will face legal consequences.
The escape has highlighted significant security and staffing issues at the Orleans Parish Justice Center. At the time of the escape, the facility was operating at only 60% staffing capacity, with a civilian technician present instead of a trained corrections officer . Sheriff Susan Hutson acknowledged that long-standing infrastructure problems and chronic understaffing contributed to the security breach.
The jail has been under federal monitoring since 2013 due to previous rights violations, yet continues to face systemic issues. In October 2024, Sheriff Hutson requested an $88 million budget increase to address overcrowding and staffing shortages, but the City Council approved only a $9.2 million increase.
As details emerge, many are speculating that the New Orleans prison break may have involved insider assistance. Here are key reasons why law enforcement officials and correctional experts believe the escape could not have occurred without help from within:
- Access to Restricted Areas
- The inmates successfully navigated through multiple secured corridors and a maintenance area, indicating knowledge of the facility’s layout. Experts say this information would likely not be accessible without assistance from staff or someone familiar with internal blueprints.
“This wasn’t a case of slipping out of a broken gate,” said prison security consultant Andre Wallace. “These men knew where to go and when to move. That suggests coordination.”
- Tampering With Security Cameras or Alarms
- Though the jail is equipped with surveillance cameras and motion detectors, none of the systems appeared to trigger an alert. Sheriff Susan Hutson confirmed that security footage is being reviewed for any evidence of tampering.
“The fact that no alarms were activated despite a group of men moving through restricted areas raises serious red flags,” said Hutson during a press briefing.
- Timing and Shift Changes
- The escape took place during a shift change, a time known to be a security vulnerability due to reduced staffing and distraction. Some officers were reportedly on break, and at least one untrained civilian staffer was overseeing the monitoring desk.
- Lack of Immediate Response
- Authorities failed to notice the escape for more than eight hours. “That’s not just oversight—it’s negligence,” said former corrections officer Marsha Toler. “It’s highly likely someone either ignored warning signs or was told not to report them.”
The escape has triggered outrage and fear among New Orleans residents. Many say the city’s criminal justice system is failing to protect the public.
“I live five blocks from that jail,” said Tiana Roberson, a mother of two. “To know that people charged with murder were able to just walk out terrifies me.”
Local business owner Sean Bell echoed the sentiment.
“We don’t feel safe. If ten people can escape from jail and it takes eight hours for anyone to notice, what else is being missed?”
This escape is the latest in a series of incidents highlighting vulnerabilities in Louisiana’s correctional facilities. In May 2024, four inmates escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish Jail using a similar method, breaching fences and walls. The Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office had been warned about staffing and training deficiencies a year prior, but corrective measures were not fully implemented.
The New Orleans jailbreak underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in jail infrastructure, staffing, and oversight. Until these issues are addressed, the safety of both inmates and the public remains at risk.
