Eleven inmates escape from New Orleans jail amid serious security lapses

In New Orleans, Louisiana, a significant security incident occurred when eleven inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on Friday morning. The escape was discovered during a routine headcount at approximately 8:30 a.m., prompting immediate lockdown measures at the facility. Authorities, including local and state law enforcement, initiated a comprehensive search operation to locate the escapees, emphasizing that all should be considered armed and dangerous. Of the eleven inmates, one named Kendall Myles was swiftly apprehended in the nearby French Quarter, while ten remained at large. Among the remaining escapees is Gary Price, who faces serious charges of attempted first-degree murder. The authorities suspect that the escape was not purely spontaneous but may have involved assistance from outside the facility. Investigators are focusing on a maintenance corridor, which is believed to have been the escape route for the inmates, and are reviewing surveillance footage to pinpoint the exact details of the incident. The Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has publicly described the escape as “very serious and unacceptable,” announcing a full investigation into how such a breach could happen. In the wake of this event, security protocols at the jail are under scrutiny, and any failures will be addressed promptly. Community safety is a priority, and the sheriff has requested the public's assistance in reporting any sightings of the escapees. As law enforcement agencies collaborate with the FBI and U.S. Marshals to track the escapees, there is a heightened alert among locals, especially those who might have been victims or witnesses related to crimes involving the inmates. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick urged the community to remain vigilant, highlighting the importance of immediate reporting if suspicious activity is observed. These developments unfold while city officials work to restore public confidence in the local justice system, which faces criticism over the security lapses that allowed such an unprecedented escape to take place.