Here's the latest on the massive New Orleans jailbreak with fugitives 'armed and dangerous'
- Ten inmates escaped from Orleans Parish Jail Friday, potentially marking the largest jailbreak in Louisiana history.
- Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry blames a “progressive criminal justice system” and lax policies for the escape.
- The inmates escaped by compromising a jail wall and remain at large with possible assistance from family and friends.
- Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has faced criticism and was absent from the press conference addressing the escape.
- Rewards totaling $20,000 per fugitive are being offered for information leading to their capture.
Seven potentially armed and dangerous inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail Friday remained on the lam Monday morning after what Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called a "massive jailbreak."
"This could be the largest jailbreak in the history of the state," Landry said during a press conference in New Orleans Sunday evening.
State law enforcement officials said they believe the escaped inmates remain in Louisiana, but they can't be sure. They're collaborating with federal officials like the FBI, Secret Service and U.S. Marshals in case the fugitives fan out beyond Louisiana's borders.
"These fugitives may not just be in New Orleans; they may have moved to other parishes and other states," State Police Chief Robert Hodges said.
Landry blamed a "progressive criminal justice system" for what he believes are lax policies from some prosecutors and judges and promised to issue executive orders to address those policies through audits and an investigation by state Attorney General Liz Murrill.
"Now there is no excuse for the escape of these violent offenders," Landry said. "There is also no excuse for the way these cases are currently being mismanaged in our criminal justice system."
Ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail about 1:30 a.m. Friday and weren't reported missing until about seven hours later after a morning head count.
They escaped by ripping away a toilet and sink from a jail wall to create their exit and mocked officials by writing "to (sic) easy" on the wall.
Murrill called the escape "beyond unacceptable," in a text to USA Today Network.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Sheriff Susan Hutson has come under heaving criticism following the escape and didn't attend the press conference.
When asked where Hutson was, Landry said, "I don't know. Hopefully minding the jail."
Hodges said he believes the remaining seven escaped fugitives have evaded capture with help from family and friends.
"The challenge we face is they're constantly moving with help," Hodges said. "It's a matter of can we get them before someone helps them."
Landry said anyone who helps the fugitives will also face justice.
"If anybody harbors them we will arrest you," the governor said.
Rewards of $20,000 per fugitive have been posted with $10,000 from the FBI, $5,000 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and $5,000 from Crimestoppers.
"We will find them and bring them back to justice," Landry said.
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the Paste BN Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.