Orleans Parish Fires 2 Deputies, Suspends 5 After Inmate Mistaken Release

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office fired two deputies and suspended five others following the mistaken release of inmate Khalil Bryan from the Orleans Justice Center due to human error and failure to properly verify his identity. Bryan, who was confused with another inmate sharing his last name, was released during overnight processing, and the error went unnoticed for over 10 hours before public notification. The sheriff's office cited inadequate adherence to protocols, including skipped identity verification steps, as the cause, and has since implemented enhanced corrective measures such as mandatory supervisory reviews for all inmate releases and additional staff training. Officials defended the delay in alerting the public by emphasizing that Bryan was primarily held on non-violent charges at the time and was not considered an immediate threat. The incident follows a prior mass escape in May from the same facility, highlighting ongoing operational challenges. Sheriff Susan Hutson acknowledged the failure and stressed the office's commitment to accountability and professionalism in jail operations.