Gov. Jeff Landry Orders Statewide Investigation After Orleans Jailbreak

Following a major security breach at the Orleans Parish Correctional Facility, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed Executive Order JML 25-063, initiating a full-scale investigation into what he called an “unacceptable breakdown in leadership and public safety.”

The jailbreak occurred early on May 16, when ten inmates escaped OPCF by cutting through a wall, scaling perimeter barriers, and crossing a nearby interstate—none of which was immediately detected by jail authorities. Five inmates remain at large, posing what the Governor described as a continued threat to community safety.

What the Executive Order Demands

The executive order lays out a ten-point plan calling for a coordinated response from nearly every branch of Louisiana’s criminal justice system. It begins with an inventory of case files by the Inspector General and a complete audit of the OPCF by the Department of Corrections. The order also demands the immediate removal of DOC inmates from the facility.

Additional directives include:

• An expanded review by the Louisiana Supreme Court of the Orleans Criminal Court system;
• A Judiciary Commission-led analysis of acquittals, probation trends, and court delays in high-crime parishes;
• Mandatory tracking of continuances in criminal cases and accountability for unprepared legal counsel;
• Creation of a crime data modeling system by the Metropolitan Crime Commission; and
• Designation of the Attorney General’s Office as the lead investigative body, with support from all other agencies.

Focus on Accountability and Transparency

Governor Landry described the jailbreak as “a reflection of deeper, systemic failure” within both the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and the broader criminal justice structure. The executive order calls for full public disclosure of findings and emphasizes swift, corrective action.

“Protecting the public from violent offenders,” the order states, “is a core responsibility of law enforcement, and any breach of that duty demands decisive action.”

Effective Immediately

The executive order takes effect immediately and remains in force until amended or rescinded. As investigations begin, agencies are required to report their findings directly to the Governor and Attorney General.

Read Full Executive Order:

• Governor Jeff Landry Issues Executive Order Following Major Security Breach at Orleans Parish Correctional Facility