Ten inmates, including individuals charged with murder, escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans on May 16, 2025. The escape involved removing a toilet to access a hole in the wall, navigating through a pipe chase, and scaling a fence using blankets to bypass barbed wire. The incident was not discovered until a routine headcount over seven hours later, raising serious concerns about the facility’s security measures.
The escape occurred under the leadership of Sheriff Susan Hutson, elected in December 2021 as the first progressive sheriff in the United States. Hutson, who had not previously served as a law enforcement officer, campaigned on criminal justice reform and reducing incarceration. Her tenure has been marked by staffing shortages and infrastructure issues within the jail.
Sheriff Hutson attributed the jailbreak to defective locks and potential assistance from within the department. Surveillance footage showed inmates using blankets to bypass barbed wire during their escape. Three employees have been suspended as part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident has drawn criticism from local and state officials. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and District Attorney Jason Williams have both expressed concern over the security failures and the delay in notifying the public. The escape has intensified scrutiny of Sheriff Hutson’s leadership and the policies implemented under her administration.
As of now, three of the ten escapees have been recaptured, while seven remain at large. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are conducting a nationwide manhunt to locate the fugitives. The situation underscores the challenges faced by the Orleans Justice Center and raises questions about the effectiveness of progressive approaches to criminal justice reform.
