Gone South: S4|E35 - The New Orleans Prison Break

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Gone South, host Jed Lipinski delves into one of New Orleans’ most alarming criminal events: the massive prison break at the Orleans Justice Center. Through meticulous reporting and firsthand accounts, the episode unveils the intricate details of the escape, the ensuing manhunt, and the broader implications for the city’s criminal justice system.

The Escape

The story begins on the morning of May 16th, when Mike Pearlstein, an investigative reporter for WWL Louisiana, receives startling news: an undetermined number of inmates have escaped from the Orleans Justice Center (OJC).

• Mike Pearlstein [01:16]: "It was earlier this morning, around 8:30am local time, that these missing inmates were discovered."

During a routine headcount, it became evident that inmates had vanished, prompting immediate concern and confusion among law enforcement officials.

• Susan Hudson [02:02]: "I heard eight to 11 inmates escape from the jail at some unspecified hour. And that right there was enough to sound off plenty of alarms."

Immediate Reactions and News Coverage

As news of the escape spread, the OJC went into lockdown. The facility, formerly known as Orleans Parish Prison, has been under a federal consent decree since 2013 due to longstanding issues such as overcrowding and understaffing.

Jed Lipinski provides context on the OJC’s troubled history:

• Jed Lipinski [03:36]: "The prison escape was just the latest scandal in a long line of them. But if the number of escapees was accurate, it would rival all the scandals that came before it."

Mike’s team conducted a swift investigation, determining that ten inmates had successfully escaped, most accused of violent crimes. This revelation heightened community fears about public safety.

Sheriff Susan Hudson and Controversies

The Orleans Parish Sheriff, Susan Hudson, a former attorney from Houston and the first female sheriff of Orleans Parish, found herself under intense scrutiny following the escape. Her administration had already faced criticism, notably for spending public funds on high-end hotels during Mardi Gras.

• Michelle Woodfork [07:36]: "This is just another incident that shows the incompetence in the leadership at the Orleans Parish Justice Center."

Amid the chaos, it became clear that the escape had significant political repercussions, especially with the upcoming election year.

The Manhunt Intensifies

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals, and state police joined local authorities in the urgent manhunt for the escapees. Law enforcement agencies released mugshots and increased the reward for information leading to the capture of the fugitives.

• Mike Pearlstein [06:37]: "The anonymous tip line offered a cash reward for any information leading to their capture. Tips flooded in."

Despite these efforts, initial attempts to apprehend the escapees were met with limited success. Within hours, only a fraction of the inmates had been captured, heightening concerns about the effectiveness of the manhunt.

The Capture of Escapees and Aides

By May 26, ten days post-escape, thirteen individuals had been arrested for aiding the escapees. Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at OJC, was among those detained. Williams claimed he was coerced into turning off the water to facilitate the escape, asserting that he was threatened by inmates Derek Groves and Antoine Massey.

• Sterling Williams [17:36]: "I was threatened by two of the inmates... if I did not turn that water off."

Moreover, eight of the ten escapees had been captured, with Derrick Groves and Antwan Massey remaining at large. Their backgrounds revealed a dangerous profile, with Groves awaiting sentencing for multiple counts of murder and manslaughter.

The Story of Derrick Groves and Antwan Massey

Mike’s investigation into the remaining fugitives uncovered a personal connection to a past case he had reported on—the Len Davis scandal. Derrick Groves, one of the escapees, is the grandson of Kim Groves, a victim of police corruption orchestrated by Davis in 1994.

• Mike Pearlstein [19:46]: "Derrick Groves was Kim Groves’ grandson. This fact hit me particularly hard because I'd covered the Len Davis case as a reporter for the Times-Picayune."

Antwan Massey, another fugitive, had a history of multiple escapes and was charged with serious crimes, including kidnapping and rape. His repeated escapes highlighted significant vulnerabilities within the OJC’s security systems.

Antwan Massey's Instagram Plea

On June 2, seventeen days after the escape, Antwan Massey surfaced on Instagram, posting a heartfelt plea claiming wrongful prosecution and appealing for public support.

• Antwan Massey [25:34]: "They’re trying to give me life for something I didn’t do... I have a heart. People that know me know that at the end of the day, I am a good person."

The video resonated widely, garnering tens of thousands of likes and sparking discussions about Louisiana’s high incarceration rates and systemic issues within the criminal justice system.

Implications on New Orleans' Criminal Justice

Massey’s plea brought to light broader issues, including racial disparities in incarceration. In New Orleans, black men constitute about 81% of the jail population but only 26% of the city’s overall population, highlighting systemic inequalities.

• Jed Lipinski [26:39]: "A desperate plea by a young black man from a city where black men make up around 81% of the jail population, but only 26% of the city overall."

Comparison with Past Events

The OJC’s recent escape draws parallels to the infamous 2013 "OPP Gone Wild" incident, where an inmate exploited the facility’s poor security to engage in illegal activities openly. This history underscores persistent security failures despite federal oversight.

• Susan Hudson [28:36]: "It didn't take long for the New Orleans jailbreak to become a major national news story... the OJC was so rife with abuse, violence and neglect."

Current Status and Conclusion

As of June 17, the day before the episode aired, Derrick Groves and Antwan Massey remained at large after 32 days on the run. Authorities believe they are still hiding in or near New Orleans, though the extensive manhunt continues to receive no substantial breakthroughs.

• Susan Hudson [30:44]: "Both men are still hiding in or near New Orleans."

Jed Lipinski closes the episode by reflecting on the ongoing challenges facing New Orleans’ criminal justice system and the enduring impact of such high-profile escapes on community trust and safety.

Notable Quotes

• Mike Pearlstein [07:36]: "I've been saying since my campaign launch that what happens inside the jail definitely impacts what goes on in our communities."

• Susan Hudson [12:07]: "Direct observation means every pod... is supposed to be supervised directly and at least by cameras at all times, 24 hours with a bed check headcount every half hour on the half hour."

• Antwan Massey [25:34]: "She got mad and thought that I was dealing with another woman. That's why she did what she did to me, you know what I'm saying?"

Conclusion

This episode of Gone South meticulously unpacks the complexities surrounding the New Orleans prison break, highlighting systemic flaws, personal tragedies, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Through comprehensive reporting and poignant narratives, Jed Lipinski offers listeners a profound understanding of the interplay between crime, community, and human nature in the Southern United States.