Multiple Inmates Escape Louisiana Jail Through Wall, Triggering Massive Manhunt

Authorities in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, are conducting an intensive, multi-agency manhunt after three inmates escaped through a compromised section of the parish jail, exploiting what officials described as a “degrading” concrete wall.

The escape occurred during the early morning hours of December 3, 2025. According to investigators, the inmates managed to remove weakened cinder blocks from an aging upper wall inside the facility, creating a hole large enough to crawl through. Once outside the cell area, the prisoners used makeshift ropes made from tied bedsheets and other materials to lower themselves from an elevated ledge, climb onto a lower rooftop, and ultimately descend to the ground undetected.

The Escapees

Officials identified the three escapees as:

• Keith Eli, 24, being held on a second-degree murder charge.

• Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, accused of multiple violent offenses, including rape and involvement in a drive-by shooting.

• Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, facing several felony charges, including home invasion.

Their escape immediately prompted a region-wide alert and the mobilization of deputies, detectives, state law enforcement, and specialized tactical teams.

Rapid Developments in the Manhunt

Within 48 hours, two of the three fugitives were located.

Authorities reported that Johnathan Joseph surrendered after being cornered inside a storage shed on private property. Officers stated that Joseph appeared exhausted and offered no resistance when approached.

Shortly after Joseph’s capture, officers located Joseph Allen Harrington during a search operation. According to the sheriff, Harrington died by suicide after a brief confrontation with law enforcement. No officers were injured during the encounter.

As of the latest update, Keith Eli remains at large. Officials describe him as dangerous and warn that he may attempt to flee the region. The sheriff’s office has pledged to maintain a full-scale search effort until Eli is found.

Infrastructure Under Scrutiny

The breakout has intensified concerns about aging correctional facilities throughout Louisiana. Investigators confirmed that the portion of the wall the inmates dismantled had deteriorated over time, allowing them to pry loose the concrete blocks without creating significant noise. The sheriff said the jail’s structural degradation “absolutely contributed” to the breach and called for a full internal and external review of the building’s condition.

This incident follows another high-profile jailbreak in the state earlier this year, raising questions among residents and officials about maintenance budgets, staffing levels, and overall security standards in local detention centers.

Community Alert and Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any information related to Eli’s whereabouts. Officers have expanded patrols around rural areas, transportation corridors, and abandoned structures, emphasizing that the remaining fugitive may seek shelter or assistance.

The sheriff’s office has launched an internal investigation to determine how the inmates were able to access the weakened wall section, how long it had been compromised, and whether additional oversight failures contributed to the escape.

“This was a deliberate and coordinated effort,” the sheriff said. “We intend to find the remaining escapee, and we intend to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”