New Orleans Officials Errantly Free Inmate from Prison Linked to May’s 10 Escapees

Officials in New Orleans are urging an inmate, Khalil Bryan, to turn himself in after a clerical mistake led to his premature release from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. This incident follows an earlier escape involving ten inmates from the same facility earlier this year. During a press conference on Friday, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick confirmed Bryan’s unintended release and conveyed the sheriff’s office’s error. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson expressed her remorse at the same conference, offering a heartfelt apology to the residents of New Orleans and taking full responsibility for the oversight.

Bryan’s release was a result of officials confusing him with another inmate who had a similar last name, a mistake attributed to human error in the verification process. A search for Bryan is currently underway, and an investigation has been initiated into the circumstances surrounding his release. Sheriff Hutson stated that personnel involved in the incident will be questioned, as their actions contributed to this failure. Bryan is serving time for various charges, including possession of stolen property, drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest.

Additionally, he has a violent criminal history, with charges relating to home invasion, aggravated assault, and domestic abuse. Bryan is 30 years old and described as a 6-foot-4-inch Black man with brown eyes and black hair. His unexpected release marks a troubling continuation of security issues at the jail, especially following the recent escape of multiple inmates through a hole in the wall. Superintendent Kirkpatrick indicated that, depending on the district attorney’s decisions, Bryan could face new charges akin to those brought against the escapees.

Both Hutson and Kirkpatrick emphasized their commitment to rectifying this situation, promising accountability and the restoration of community trust. They firmly urged Bryan to come forward.