The 10 inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail in a stunning overnight escape last week used electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to help cut their way through the cell walls, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told CNN. Investigators continue to comb through previous jail phone recordings and believe that other incarcerated inmates or employees at the jail could face additional charges for their role assisting in the May 16 escape and initial cover-up in the hours following the jailbreak, according to the source. Those inmates are believed to have placed the toilet back on the wall after the jailbreak to conceal the hole behind the toilet that escapees used to break free. In addition, the inmates also provided towels to the escapees which were used to help them scale the barbed wire fence surrounding the Orleans Parish Jail, the source told CNN. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, which oversees the Orleans Justice Center jail facility, has not responded to CNN’s questions about the details surrounding the escape, including whether inmates are allowed to have access to electric hair trimmers and barber equipment. Authorities continued to search for five of the escapees as of Friday afternoon. Five others have been recaptured and are being held without bond at the maximum-security Louisiana State Penitentiary. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill visited the Orleans Justice Center earlier this week as part of the ongoing investigation into the escape. The district attorney said Thursday the director of the New Orleans Police Department Crime Lab visited the jail to begin a formal forensic processing of the scene, which he said was not requested by the sheriff’s office. Williams formally asked the sheriff’s office to voluntarily cooperate with the forensic analysis, including by sharing any records of staff fingerprints or DNA “for the purpose of inclusion or elimination of their profiles,” according to a letter Williams sent to the sheriff’s office on Thursday that was obtained by CNN. A separate letter from Thursday formally requested the sheriff’s office preserve all records related to the jailbreak, including surveillance video and electronic communications between staff. “It is critically important to get all fugitives back into custody. But it is equally important that we identify and hold accountable anyone who facilitated or assisted with this historic jailbreak,” the district attorney wrote. Former sheriff says there were multiple security lapses “If you were manning the security system, you would have known a door was opening,” former Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman, who ran the jail from 2004 to 2022, told CNN. “Especially in the middle of the night,” Gusman said. He oversaw construction at the Orleans Justice Center, which re-opened in 2015 as part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency project to replace older jail structures that were damaged during Hurricane Katrina. Gusman told CNN he has no idea how the inmates got into the pipe chase behind the toilet and sink, but emphasized they had to navigate through walls made with a “substantial” network of concrete molding about “5 inches thick” and mixed with rebar, which is re-enforced steel. “And the pipe chase is secure; if you open the door in the pipe chase, an alarm should go off,” the former sheriff told CNN. “If you get into the pipe chase, it’s not like you are out. You still have to get to another door.” Gusman added, “So however they got into the pipe chase, I don’t know, but once they got into the pipe chase, there was a door that they had to leave out of the pipe chase onto the loading dock.” Seven arrested for allegedly helping escapees A maintenance worker with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sterling Williams, was arrested Tuesday. Williams, 33, is accused of “willfully and maliciously” assisting with the jailbreak, according to an affidavit. He faces one count of malfeasance in office and 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape. Williams’ attorney, Michael Kennedy, said the worker was turning off water to an overflowing toilet after being told to do so and is “fully convinced” of his client’s innocence. Six other suspected accomplices have also been arrested for allegedly helping some of the 10 escapees. On Friday, New Orleans police announced the arrest of Casey Smith, who is accused of helping two fugitives. The 30-year-old was taken into custody Thursday in the city’s Third District. “Smith admitted to her role in aiding the escapees’ transport along with Cortnie Harris,” who was arrested Wednesday for her alleged role in the incident, New Orleans police said. Authorities arrested Trevon Williams on Friday in connection with the inmates’ escape. Trevon Williams, who was already in jail on unrelated charges, was rebooked on an additional charge of principal to simple escape, according to an X post from Murrill. New Orleans police announced the arrest of Emmitt Weber, 28, on Friday. Weber faces a charge of accessory after the fact of simple escape, authorities said. Meanwhile, another suspect, Corvanntay Baptiste, was arrested earlier this week after allegedly communicating with escapee Corey Boyd via phone and social media and helping him get food, Louisiana State Police said. Another arrestee, Connie Weeden, is accused of sending cash via a cell phone app to escapee Jermaine Donald. Audit at the Orleans Parish Jail underway The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is deploying at least 10 seasoned auditors to the Orleans Justice Center this week to investigate the escape. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry tasked the department with auditing the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, to ensure they were in compliance with “conditions necessary to ensure the safe, efficient, effective and legal operation of a jail facility,” the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections told CNN. The last audit of the facility was in 2014, over a decade ago, according to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, before the jail located in New Orleans’ Mid-City neighborhood was opened. A team of over 200 local, state and federal law enforcement officers and agents is working around the clock to capture the remaining missing inmates, according to state police.
Louisiana inmates used hair trimmers in efforts to escape from New Orleans jail, source says
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Investigation Underway Following Inmate Escape from New Orleans Jail Using Hair Trimmers"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
In a remarkable escape from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, ten inmates managed to break out of the facility using electric hair trimmers equipped with multiple clipper blades to cut through the cell walls. The investigation into this incident has revealed that other inmates and possibly staff members may have been involved in facilitating the jailbreak, which occurred on May 16. Authorities are examining past phone recordings to identify any accomplices who may face charges for their involvement. After the escape, the inmates allegedly replaced a toilet to hide the hole they used to exit their cells, and they were provided towels to help them climb over a barbed wire fence. As of now, five of the escapees remain at large while five others have been recaptured and are currently held without bond at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has not commented on the escape details, including the accessibility of electric hair trimmers to inmates, although investigators are actively pursuing leads related to the jailbreak and its aftermath.
The situation has prompted a broader investigation into the security protocols at the Orleans Justice Center, with former Sheriff Marlin Gusman highlighting potential lapses in security that allowed the escape to occur. Gusman expressed confusion over how the inmates accessed a pipe chase behind the toilet and emphasized that alarms should have been triggered if any doors were opened. In connection with the escape, several arrests have been made, including a maintenance worker accused of helping the inmates and individuals charged with providing assistance post-escape. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is currently deploying auditors to evaluate the jail's operational compliance and security measures, as the last audit took place over a decade ago. The urgency to recapture the remaining escapees is high, with a large task force comprising local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies working tirelessly to restore order and accountability within the facility.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent escape of inmates from a New Orleans jail has captured media attention, highlighting serious security breaches within correctional facilities. The use of electric hair trimmers to cut through cell walls raises questions about the level of oversight and the measures in place to prevent such incidents. This analysis will explore the implications of the event, the public perception it may foster, and the potential motives behind its coverage.
Public Perception and Community Concerns
The article may aim to evoke a sense of alarm and concern among the public regarding the safety and security of correctional facilities. By emphasizing the innovative methods used by the inmates to escape, it underscores a failure in institutional security. This can lead to a perception that the justice system is not adequately protecting the community, potentially fueling calls for reform and increased oversight of correctional facilities.
Investigative Focus and Accountability
The ongoing investigation into the escape suggests that not only the inmates but also staff members may have been complicit. The mention of potential charges against other inmates or employees implies a systemic issue within the jail. This could distract from broader systemic problems and instead shift focus to individual accountability, which might serve to quell public outrage by providing a narrative of justice and resolution.
Manipulative Language and Framing
The choice of language and framing in the article could lead to a sense of fear and urgency. By detailing the escape methods and the subsequent manhunt for the escapees, the article can create a narrative that portrays the inmates as cunning and dangerous. This framing may serve to justify harsher measures within the justice system and reinforce negative stereotypes about incarcerated individuals.
Comparative Analysis with Other Reports
When compared to other reports on prison escapes or institutional failures, this story follows a familiar pattern of highlighting security lapses. However, the unique details about the use of hair trimmers and the alleged complicity of staff could indicate a deeper issue specific to this facility. This connection to broader narratives about prison reform and security measures can serve to amplify public discourse on these topics.
Impact on Society and the Justice System
The implications of this escape could resonate beyond immediate public safety concerns. It may provoke discussions about prison conditions, inmate rights, and the need for reform in the justice system. If the public perceives the prison system as failing to protect society, there could be increased pressure on lawmakers to implement changes, which could affect funding and resource allocation for correctional facilities.
Target Audience and Community Response
This news may resonate more with communities concerned about crime and public safety, potentially garnering support from those advocating for stricter law enforcement measures. Conversely, it could alienate groups focused on prison reform and rehabilitation, who might view the narrative as reinforcing punitive approaches rather than addressing underlying issues.
Economic and Market Implications
While this specific incident may not have immediate economic ramifications, it could influence public sentiment toward investments in correctional facilities or companies providing security solutions. Increased scrutiny of prison systems may lead to a demand for enhanced security technologies, affecting relevant sectors and stock performance.
Global Context and Relevance
Though primarily a local issue, the escape reflects broader trends in prison management and criminal justice reform that are relevant globally. Discussions about inmate treatment and facility security are part of an ongoing international dialogue about human rights and justice.
Use of AI in Reporting
It is possible that AI tools were employed in the creation of this article, particularly in analyzing data or trends related to incarceration and escape incidents. If AI was involved, it could have shaped the presentation of facts to emphasize certain angles, such as the innovative escape methods or the subsequent investigation.
In summary, while the article sheds light on a significant security breach, it also has the potential to manipulate public perception through its framing and language. The reliability of the news hinges on the accuracy of the details provided and the motivations behind its publication. Overall, this story serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding criminal justice and the narratives that shape public understanding.