Three Orleans Parish Justice Center staff suspended after ten inmates escape from hole in cell

In a shocking new statement from it has been revealed that staff stepped away briefly for food' while ten inmates escaped.

Initial reports indicated that 11 inmates had escaped the Orleans Parish Justice Center in ; however, police have confirmed that 10 individuals were involved. One individual previously reported as an escapee was found still inside the facility.

Two individuals who managed to escape have since been apprehended: Kendell Myles was captured in the French Quarter and Robert Moody was captured in the 3500 block of Second Street following a tip.

Eight escapees remain at large, and the OPSO continues to urge the public to submit any information that may aid in locating them, the FBI has issued a reward for anyone who can provide information that leads to their capture.

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A new statement on the OPSO : "The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) is continuing its investigation into the recent escape from the Orleans Justice Center (OJC) and has released new details following an extensive review of facility surveillance and operations.

"At approximately 8:30 a.m. today, OPSO staff were alerted that inmates were missing from Pod 1-D. Jail staff immediately initiated a systematic search of the facility while investigators began combing through surveillance video.

"Video footage shows that at 12:22 a.m., several inmates were observed jarring open the sliding door to cell D1006. By 12:43 a.m., multiple inmates entered that cell. At 1:00 a.m., they exited the loading dock door adjacent to the pod and moved down a secure perimeter road toward the under-construction Phase III facility.

"At 1:19 a.m., they were seen scaling a fence between the OJC and Phase III using blankets to avoid injury from the barbed wire. From there, they fled across both directions of I-10 and into a nearby neighborhood, where OPSO investigators later recovered discarded clothing believed to belong to the escapees."

It went on to say: "At the time of the escape, no deputy was assigned to Pod 1-D, and the civilian Corrections Technician Monitor (CMT) stationed at the pod module had stepped away briefly for food. Three employees have been placed on suspension without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

"Additionally, a review of the physical security infrastructure revealed signs of tampering. Prior to the escape, steel bars protecting plumbing fixtures were intact. After the escape, at least one steel bar appeared to have been intentionally cut using a tool, compromising the integrity of the pod’s security features."

The statement concluded: "OPSO is grateful for the support of more than 200 law enforcement personnel assisting in this active search."

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