Three More New Orleans Jail Escapees Captured—Only Two Remain at Large, Officials Report

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Three more inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail earlier this month were re-arrested on Monday in Louisiana and Texas. They had been on the run for over a week.

Local police made one arrest in Baton Rouge, while two others were caught in Walker County, Texas, according to the Louisiana State Police.

Two inmates are still at large. Authorities have been actively searching the New Orleans area since their bold escape. The men managed to break out through a faulty cell door, slip through a hole behind a toilet, and scale a barbed-wire fence under the cover of darkness. Their absence was only noticed during a morning headcount, hours later. Graffiti left behind read, “To Easy LoL,” pointing to their escape route.

City and state officials have highlighted serious security issues in the jail. The recaptured inmates are Lenton Vanburen, Leo Tate, and Jermaine Donald. Earlier, Dkenan Dennis, Corey Boyd, Gary C. Price, Kendell Myles, and Robert Moody were also caught. Most of these men were waiting for trial or sentencing for severe offenses, including murder.

Following the escape, a jail maintenance worker was arrested for allegedly disabling the toilet’s water supply, which facilitated the breakout. He claimed he acted under threat from one of the inmates.

In addition to the staff member, four others have been arrested for allegedly assisting the escapees after they fled.

Context and Insights

This incident reflects broader problems with jail security in the U.S. According to a recent report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, jail escape incidents surged by 31% from 2015 to 2019. Many experts believe that poor facility maintenance and insufficient staffing contribute to such breaches.

In this case, local communities are understandably alarmed. Public sentiment, especially evident on social media, shows mixed reactions—some express concern for safety, while others reflect on the systemic issues facing the criminal justice system.

As authorities continue their search, these events spotlight the urgent need for security improvements in correctional facilities nationwide.

For more information about jail security and policies, visit the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Source link

Louisiana State Police, NEW ORLEANS, authorities, state police