Seven Inmates escape New Orleans Jail; Manhunt expands across seven States
The escape of seven inmates from a New Orleans jail has triggered a multi-state manhunt, with authorities warning the public to stay alert as questions mount over major security lapses.
On May 16, 2025, ten inmates fled from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The escape occurred in the early morning hours; the inmates used a hole behind a toilet to make their way to the exterior of the jail, then climbed a perimeter wall beyond the jail and melted into the streets. The escape was not discovered until over seven hours after the fact, when a headcount was taken and it was discovered that the inmates were not in their cell. At the time, there was not a guard in that cell because a civilian technician had stepped out of the room to get food.
Today three escapees have been recaptured. 20-year-old Kendall Myles was recaptured after a foot chase through the French Quarter, 21-year-old Robert Moody was later recaptured in New Orleans under a Crimestoppers tip, and Dkenan Dennis was apprehended near the Chef Menteur Highway. The police are making an effort to find the other detainees, and hope to do so quickly before they can escape their area
Multi-State Manhunt intensifies as Louisiana offers $20,000 reward for escaped inmates still at large
As a result, law enforcement issued alerts across six neighboring states - Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Louisiana's Attorney General Liz Murrill formally requested the alerts for these regions. Cooperation exists between police departments and sheriffs in those states and to the federal and local agencies. Law enforcement has asked the public to observe, and report any tips they may have regarding the fugitives. This multi-state response to the escape shows the severity of the situation.
To foster public assistance, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office offered a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of each fugitive. Officials have shared the fugitive's photos, names, and dates of birth for the seven men who remain at large. They are considered dangerous and should not be approached. The tactics of the reward are meant to get community involvement to support the law enforcement efforts. While public participation in viewing the fugitives is needed, it is now more important than ever for the public to assist and cooperate with law enforcement efforts.
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Security failures spark manhunt after Orleans Parish Jail escape
The prison break has again drawn attention to the ongoing concerns at the Orleans Parish waystation. Sheriff Susan Hutson said basic repairs including broken locks and building deterioration, contributed to the escape. For years, community activists and lawmakers have condemned the terrible state of the jail and the degrading facilities. The incident has prompted new demands for comprehensive evaluation and change to the facility's security and protocols. There exists a formal review of the vulnerabilities of the prison system.
Inmates at Orleans Justice Center left taunting messages on their cell wall before escaping, according to Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office. Photo: Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office X account
Scrutiny also falls on the complacency or collusion of staff. The staff's lack of a guard, and delayed notice of the breach must be reviewed. Investigators seek to probe whether neglect or misconduct of the staff was a contributing factor to the break. Opportunities for each individual staff member's procedures, and staff training and accountability are underway. And now, public safety and preventative measures take precedent over every other priority.
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