A manhunt is underway for seven dangerous inmates who remain at large following a mass prison escape from the Orleans Justice Centre.
Ten escapees fled the prison, with three prisoners now being caught. The individuals include convicted killers who police have warned are "armed and dangerous" and should not be approached by the public.
The inmates were discovered missing during a routine headcount at the prison.
They escaped the jail after the lone guard assigned to watch their cell block was away eating.
Ten prisoners escaped the New Orleans Justice Centre
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
No deputies were assigned to the pod, with only a civilian technician watching where the prisoners were being held.
Several hours passed before the prison break was found. Three prison employees have since been suspended.
The first of the escapees to be recaptured was 20-year-old Kendall Myles, who was apprehended in New Orleans yesterday.
Authorities detained two more of the fugitives - Robert Moody and Dkenan Dennis - bringing the total number of recaptured inmates to three.
The remaining seven escapees remain at large, with officials emphasising the dangerous nature of the fugitives.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has confirmed that her department is working alongside local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to locate the remaining escapees.
Hutson said: "We are launching a full investigation to determine how this escape occurred, including reviewing facility protocols, staff performance and physical security measures."
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams stated: "These inexcusable failures have put lives in danger.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office published the arrest of Dkenan Dennis
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office
"This represents a complete failure of the most basic responsibilities entrusted to a sheriff or jail administrator."
The FBI has offered the public a reward for any information leading to the arrest of any of the escaped inmates.
New Orleans FBI wrote on X: "The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 (£3,765) for information leading to the arrest of any of the inmates."
