One Louisiana inmate still at large after escaping by breaking through jail wall

Authorities in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, reported that one prisoner remains at large after three inmates managed to escape by removing mortar and concrete blocks from a jail wall earlier this week. The sheriffs office confirmed the incident on Friday.

The escapees, two of whom were held on violent crime charges, used makeshift tools including sheets to scale the facilitys outer wall, drop onto a lower roof, and descend to the ground on Wednesday, according to a social media update by Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.

This latest breakout follows a series of bold escapes in Louisiana. Earlier this year, ten inmates fled a New Orleans jail by cutting through cell walls with electric hair clippers. The final escapee from that incident was apprehended five months later in Atlanta, according to U.S. Marshals.

Johnathon Joseph, 24, from Opelousas, has been recaptured without incident after authorities acted on multiple tips. Another escapee, Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, who faced several felony charges, was found dead after apparently taking his own life with a hunting rifle, Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux said.

The third escapee, Keith Eli, 24, who was charged with attempted second-degree murder, remains on the run. Sheriff Guidroz emphasized that law enforcement will continue pursuing Eli until he is safely apprehended.

An internal review has been launched, and jail supervisory staff are preparing a detailed report for further action, the sheriff added.

Maj. Mark LeBlanc of the sheriffs department noted that while such breaches are uncommon, determined inmates often find ways to escape. He described this trio as particularly resourceful.

This marks the second escape from the St. Landry Parish Jail since October, when one inmate briefly got away before being recaptured by local police. The parish president, Jessie Bellard, addressed the recent incident in a news conference, insisting the jail, built in 1982, remains structurally sound. Bellard disputed claims about deteriorating walls and rusted cell doors, citing engineering reports to confirm the facilitys integrity.

Instead, Bellard attributed the escapes to insufficient staffing and training, noting that a single deputy cannot reasonably manage more than 100 inmates per floor during night shifts. He also called for improved deputy compensation to enhance retention and safety.

The parish president stressed the need for enhanced security measures, including better surveillance, and urged anyone with information on Keith Elis whereabouts to contact St. Landry Crime Stoppers anonymously.

Author: Chloe Ramirez