Eight New Orleans jail escapees captured after over a week on the run

In May 2023, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The escape occurred during the early morning hours when inmates climbed through a hole behind a toilet in their cell and scaled a barbed-wire fence. The jailbreak went unnoticed for several hours until a headcount revealed the absence of inmates, leading to a massive manhunt involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. As the search progressed, three of the escapees were captured within 24 hours. Additional arrests followed, including the capture of Lenton Vanburen in Baton Rouge and two inmates, Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald, in Walker County, Texas. Authorities also arrested several individuals suspected of aiding the escapees, highlighting significant security lapses within the jail system that permitted such an audacious escape. The escapees included individuals with serious criminal charges, many awaiting trial or sentencing for violent crimes. The remaining fugitives, Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey, have been declared armed and dangerous. Public officials have emphasized the need for improved security measures within the facility to prevent future escapes and have called for accountability from those responsible for the conditions that allowed these events to occur. In total, the investigation revealed that ten inmates had escaped, leading to a notable manhunt and raising significant questions about the management of the Orleans Parish jail. Following the recapture of the majority of escapees, law enforcement continues to search for the two remaining inmates while addressing the systemic issues within the correctional facility. The entire incident has stirred public outrage and demands for reform in the jail system to enhance safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.