Okoye said the commission is committed to carrying out its mandate in upholding a transparent and accountable electoral system.
A massive manhunt is underway in New Orleans after ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in a dramatic jailbreak early Friday. The prisoners, several of whom are facing serious charges including murder and attempted murder, broke out by exploiting a hole behind a toilet in their shared cell. The escape has shocked local authorities and drawn nationwide attention to ongoing issues in the city’s prison system.
Surveillance footage captured the moment the inmates pried open a faulty cell door and slipped out one by one under cover of darkness. Once outside, they used blankets to scale a perimeter fence topped with barbed wire, then crossed a nearby interstate into a residential area. Authorities later discovered mocking messages left behind by the escapees, including graffiti reading “To Easy LoL” and “Catch us when you can,” suggesting the escape was premeditated.
The breakout went unnoticed for over seven hours, only coming to light during a routine headcount. This delay has prompted heavy criticism of the jail’s management and security protocols. Sheriff Susan Hutson has admitted to major lapses, including defective cell locks and a failure to monitor surveillance systems adequately. So far, three inmates have been recaptured while seven remain at large.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility of inside help, and three jail employees have been suspended as investigations continue. Sheriff Hutson confirmed that an internal probe is underway, with a focus on determining whether staff negligence or intentional sabotage played a role in the escape. The facility, already under federal oversight for past civil rights violations, now faces renewed scrutiny.
The Orleans Justice Center has long struggled with infrastructure decay and chronic understaffing, making it vulnerable to security breaches. This incident adds to mounting concerns about prison conditions and the effectiveness of oversight in New Orleans’ correctional system. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any information that may lead to the recapture of the remaining fugitives.
