A dramatic escape from an American prison: inmates dismantle a wall with their bare hands, and a third kills himself!
Three inmates accused of serious violent crimes, including attempted murder and first-degree rape, escaped from the St. Landry County Jail in Louisiana early Wednesday morning after they dismantled a corroded section of their cell wall by hand, then used sheets tied together to climb an outer wall and jump to the roof and then to the ground.
Three American prisoners escape
The incident was reported in the city of Opelousas (about 209 km northwest of New Orleans), and is the latest in a series of daring prison breaks in Louisiana this year.
Earlier in 2025, 10 inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail after crawling out of a hole behind a toilet, leaving a sarcastic message on the wall that read: “It was so easy.” It took five full months and a multi-state search to recapture them.
A crumbling wall and sheets
Prison warden Bobby G. Guidroze said: “The inmates discovered a deteriorating section in the top wall, and over time they manually removed the cement mortar until they were able to remove the concrete blocks and create an exit hole.” They then used “sheets and blankets” as ropes to climb the outer wall and descend to the roof of the first floor and then to the street.
Two fugitives are at large, and a third kills himself.
The two fugitives who are still at large are: Keith Ely (24) of Opelousas, charged with second-degree attempted murder, and Jonathan Jevon Joseph (24) of Opelousas, charged with first-degree rape and several other charges.
The third inmate, Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, of Melville, who was accused of burglary and several felonies, killed himself a few hours after escaping.
Police received a report from a citizen who recognized him pushing a black electric bicycle. When police surrounded the house and demanded he come out via loudspeakers, a single gunshot was heard. Police then raided the place and found that he had shot himself with a hunting rifle.
“We have never before recorded a breach of the building in this way, but any prisoner who has the time and the opportunity will try to escape,” said Major Mark LeBlanc, spokesman for the prison director’s office. “These three were more creative than their predecessors.”
Internal investigations
So far, there are no reliable indications that the fugitives have left the county, and LeBlanc warned residents: “They are accused of serious violent crimes, and they are desperate to remain at large. Lock your doors and cars securely.”
He confirmed that an internal investigation would be opened to find out how the wall was left in a state of decay that allowed for such a cinematic escape.