Jailbreak Chaos: Hair Clippers Used to Slice Through Walls

Ten inmates. A hole behind a toilet. And electric hair trimmers. That's not the start of a prison escape movie — it's what actually went down inside the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, where a dramatic jailbreak on May 16, 2025, has left two fugitives still on the run and 13 people facing charges. Authorities believe the escape was carefully planned and aided by others inside the jail — including inmates and at least one staff member — according to information shared by the Louisiana Attorney General and Orleans Parish District Attorney. More surprisingly, investigators say the inmates used electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to cut through walls reinforced with concrete and rebar.

A Hole in the Wall — Literally

The breakout started inside a handicapped cell. There, inmates allegedly used trimmers — the kind often used for grooming — with multiple clipper blades to slice through a 5-inch-thick concrete wall laced with rebar.

After that, they squeezed through a hidden space behind a toilet, known as the "pipe chase," and exited onto a loading dock unnoticed, according to CNN.

According to law enforcement sources, towels were used to help the escapees climb the barbed wire fence. Another inmate is believed to have reattached the toilet to the wall after the fact to conceal the escape route.

How the trimmers were acquired, and why no alarms were triggered, are key questions. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has declined to confirm whether inmates were allowed access to such tools.

Missing in Action

As of the most recent updates, eight of the 10 escapees have been recaptured. Some were found in Baton Rouge, others as far away as Texas.

But two — Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey — remain at large and are considered armed and dangerous.

Authorities say at least 13 people helped with the jailbreak or aided the fugitives after they escaped. Among them are jail inmates, friends, and even a jail maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, who allegedly turned off water to the escape cell under pressure from an inmate — a claim his attorney denies.

One woman reportedly sent money via a payment app. Others helped transport escapees or provided food. Phone records and surveillance are still under review.

Accountability in Question

The jailbreak has exposed deep vulnerabilities in the New Orleans jail system. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, who visited the jail shortly after the escape, reportedly criticized the sheriff's office for failing to request a forensic review until prompted. He emphasized the importance of investigating potential staff involvement saying, "It is critically important to get all fugitives back into custody. But it is equally important that we identify and hold accountable anyone who facilitated or assisted with this historic jailbreak," as reported by CNN.

In response, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry ordered a full audit of the facility — the first since it opened in 2015.

Ten auditors from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections are reportedly combing through the jail's procedures, and results are expected in the coming weeks.

Sheriff Susan Hutson, facing backlash, has suspended her re-election campaign. According to WBALTV, she stated publicly, "There were procedural failures. And missed notifications. But there were also intentional wrongdoings. This was a coordinated effort aided by individuals inside our own agency who made the choice to break the law."

A Bigger Picture

The escape underscores concerns about jail infrastructure, staffing, and communication lapses in high-security facilities. How inmates managed to use grooming equipment to breach concrete and steel is not just alarming — it's a sign of systemic failures that go beyond one night.

With multiple agencies now involved and two inmates still missing, the situation is far from resolved. What started with hair trimmers and a toilet may now cut much deeper into Louisiana's criminal justice system.

References: Louisiana inmates used hair trimmers in efforts to escape from New Orleans jail, source says | 3 more New Orleans inmates captured, leaving 2 at large | How 13 people allegedly helped Louisiana's escaped inmates, both before and after the breakout