Officials in Louisiana are voicing serious concerns regarding the conditions at a local jail following a recent escape involving three detainees. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz provided details about the December 2 incident when the inmates allegedly climbed down the jail’s outer wall using sheets and subsequently fled after dropping onto a first-floor roof.
New photographs and video footage from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office illustrate how the escape was executed, raising questions about security protocols at the facility, located approximately 130 miles northwest of New Orleans. During a news conference, Sheriff Guidroz criticized the jail’s conditions and highlighted ongoing construction work as a potential enabler of the escape. He pointed out that construction crews had left tools such as extension cords and ropes accessible to inmates, thus facilitating their flight.
While two of the escapees have been accounted for, one inmate, identified as Joseph Allen Harrington, tragically took his own life after police located him at a residence. The other escapee, Johnathan Jevon Joseph, surrendered to authorities after a tip-off led officers to another address where he was found. However, Keith Eli remains at large, prompting law enforcement to issue a reward for any information leading to his capture.
Sheriff Guidroz directed criticism towards St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard, claiming he has consistently sought funding for essential repairs needed to address the jail’s deficiencies. In response, Bellard contested the sheriff’s claims, asserting that assertions of “crumbling walls and rusted out cell door locks” were misleading. He attributed recent security concerns to a shortage of deputies and insufficient training for current staff members, urging the sheriff to enhance deputy pay to attract more qualified personnel.
Guidroz rebutted Bellard’s claims about deputy pay, stating that current compensation for non-post-certified corrections officers stands at just over $18 per hour, while certified officers earn approximately $19.15, with plans for a further increase to $20.
In light of the ongoing situation, Bellard indicated to a local news affiliate that he disagreed with the sheriff’s assessment of the facility. He mentioned that an architect specializing in corrections would be arriving from Baton Rouge to evaluate the situation and propose improvements specifically targeting issues on the third floor of the jail, where he acknowledged the mortar is weakening. Bellard expressed readiness to invest personal funds if necessary to enhance public safety, emphasizing that other floors of the facility remain structurally sound.
