Louisiana – Governor Jeff Landry has issued a sweeping executive order in response to a major security breach at the Orleans Parish Correctional Facility (OPCF), where five dangerous inmates remain at large. The order mandates a coordinated, multi-agency response aimed at ensuring accountability, restoring public safety, and overhauling aspects of the state’s criminal justice system.
Calling the situation an unacceptable failure of leadership and oversight, Governor Landry delivered a sharp rebuke of New Orleans officials, accusing them of fostering a system that prioritizes leniency over law and order.
“Our criminal justice system is a three-legged bar stool. If one fails, the whole system collapses,” Landry stated. “New Orleans willingly handed the jail keys to those leaders who vowed to keep criminals OUT of jail. Sadly, it worked.”
In response, the executive order lays out a series of aggressive measures:
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The Louisiana Inspector General is directed to audit case files tied to the facility.
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The Department of Corrections (DOC) will review OPCF operations for compliance with state jail standards.
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All DOC inmates currently housed at OPCF will be relocated to state-run correctional facilities to ensure proper oversight.
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The Louisiana Supreme Court is requested to continue its review of the Orleans Criminal Court.
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The Judiciary Commission is asked to assess judicial performance in parishes with elevated crime rates.
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Court clerks are instructed to document continuance requests to increase transparency in court proceedings.
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Judges are urged to minimize unnecessary delays that could impact public safety.
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The Metropolitan Crime Commission is requested to develop a robust tracking system that follows criminal cases from arrest to conviction.
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The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office will lead the investigation, with all state agencies directed to provide full cooperation.
Governor Landry emphasized that these steps are just the beginning of a broader campaign to restore faith in Louisiana’s justice system. “The people of Louisiana deserve not only transparency and accountability, but also a justice system that is unyielding in its commitment to public safety—and our Executive Order demands it. Enough is enough,” he said.
As the search for the escapees continues, the Governor’s office confirmed that updates will be provided regularly and that resources across state law enforcement are being mobilized to apprehend the fugitives.
The executive order reflects a significant escalation in state intervention and marks a critical moment in Louisiana’s ongoing debate over public safety and criminal justice reform.