On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the Louisiana State Police announced the arrest of two women accused of assisting in the recent escape of ten inmates from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans. This development follows a significant security breach at the facility, which has drawn national attention and raised serious concerns about jail operations and oversight.
The Escape: A Coordinated Effort
In the early hours of May 16, 2025, ten inmates managed a daring escape from the Orleans Justice Center. The escapees removed a sink-toilet unit in their cell, accessed a hole in the wall, and ultimately scaled a barbed-wire fence to flee the facility. Alarmingly, jail staff did not discover the escape until approximately eight hours later during a routine headcount, providing the fugitives with a significant head start .
Inside Assistance and Arrests
Investigations revealed that the escape was likely facilitated by intentional actions from within the jail. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson acknowledged “intentional wrongdoings” by jail staff, indicating an inside job . One maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, was arrested for allegedly turning off the water supply to a cell, enabling inmates to remove the toilet and access the escape route. Williams claimed he acted under threats from inmates .
Additionally, three jail employees have been suspended without pay pending further investigation into their potential roles in the escape .
Arrest of Two Women for Assisting Escapees
The Louisiana State Police reported the arrest of two women accused of aiding the escapees. While specific details about their involvement have not been disclosed, authorities allege that these individuals provided assistance that facilitated the inmates’ evasion of law enforcement. The arrests underscore the broader network of support that may have been involved in the escape and subsequent efforts to avoid recapture.
Ongoing Manhunt and Institutional Response
As of May 21, five of the ten escapees have been recaptured, while the remaining five are still at large. The escapees include individuals charged with serious offenses such as murder and armed robbery . A massive manhunt involving over 200 officers is underway to locate and apprehend the remaining fugitives.
In response to the escape, Sheriff Hutson has taken full accountability for the security failure and is implementing corrective measures. She has requested $13 million in funding for urgent infrastructure and security enhancements at the jail. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has also initiated an audit of the facility to assess and address systemic issues .
Conclusion
The arrest of the two women accused of assisting the Orleans Justice Center escapees highlights the complexity and coordination involved in the jailbreak. As investigations continue, authorities are working diligently to uncover the full extent of the network that facilitated the escape and to implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.