There are indications the prisoners had help from “inside of our department,” the Orleans Parish sheriff said. Three employees are on leave, and an investigation is underway.

One of the fugitives, Derrick Groves, was convicted on two charges of second-degree murder and two charges of attempted second-degree murder last year for his role in the 2018 Mardi Gras Day shootings of two men. Another escapee, Corey Boyd, had pled not guilty to a pending second-degree murder charge.