AG Murrill Vows Justice After Corrupt Officer Aids Dangerous Prison Break

Paul Riverbank, 6/10/2025Corrupt officer aids prison break in New Orleans as ten inmates escape through security failures.

The Crumbling Wall: Inside New Orleans' Prison Break Scandal

The arrest of former corrections officer Darriana Burton has blown open the lid on what might be Louisiana's most embarrassing corrections failure in decades. I've spent the last week piecing together this story of romance, corruption, and staggering institutional breakdown.

Picture this: A corrections facility in America's most colorful city, where inmates somehow managed to pull off an escape worthy of "The Shawshank Redemption." Ten prisoners simply walked away from the Orleans Justice Center last month, exploiting weaknesses that would make any security expert cringe.

Here's what makes this case particularly fascinating – Burton, a 28-year-old former guard, allegedly turned love into a liability. Her relationship with escapee Derrick Groves spans three years, predating her corrections career. When U.S. Marshals caught up with her Monday in New Orleans, they weren't just nabbing another accomplice; they were exposing deep-rooted problems in our corrections system.

Let's talk about the escape itself. A faulty cell door, a removable toilet, and an unmanned guard post – it reads like a checklist of everything that could go wrong in a modern jail. The inmates didn't need sophisticated tools or elaborate plans; they just needed basic infrastructure failures and human error.

I spoke with several corrections experts who couldn't believe the simplicity of it all. "A guard leaving post for food? That's Corrections 101," one veteran officer told me, shaking his head. "You never leave your post unmanned. Never."

Burton's alleged role reveals a modern twist to the age-old story of corruption. Court documents show she facilitated video calls using jail-issued iPads – technology meant to humanize incarceration now potentially weaponized for escape planning. The conversations, described as "intentionally vague," showcase the challenges of monitoring digital communications in correctional facilities.

Attorney General Liz Murrill isn't mincing words. "We will find you, arrest you and prosecute you," she declared, though some might say that horse has already left the barn. With Burton's arrest, the total number of accomplices in custody hits 16 – a network that speaks to the extensive support system these escapees engineered.

Eight captures down, two to go. Groves and Antoine Massey remain at large, though their options narrow daily. Groves, facing life without parole for a Mardi Gras Day double murder, and Massey, wanted on serious violent charges, have proven surprisingly elusive despite a $50,000 reward.

Burton maintains her innocence through a text to AP: "I categorically deny any involvement." But in my two decades covering criminal justice, I've learned that text messages to news agencies rarely tell the whole story.

This case isn't just about a jailbreak or a forbidden romance – it's a wake-up call about the state of our corrections system. When basic security measures fail this spectacularly, we need to ask harder questions about oversight, funding, and training.

As this story continues to unfold, one thing's certain: New Orleans' latest drama isn't finished yet. And somewhere out there, two dangerous men are hoping we lose interest before they lose their freedom.

The Crumbling Wall: Inside New Orleans' Prison Break ScandalThe arrest of former corrections officer Darriana Burton has blown open the lid on what might be Louisiana's most embarrassing corrections failure in decades. I've spent the last week piecing together this story of romance, corruption, and staggering institutional breakdown.Picture this: A corrections facility in America's most colorful city, where inmates somehow managed to pull off an escape worthy of "The Shawshank Redemption." Ten prisoners simply walked away from the Orleans Justice Center last month, exploiting weaknesses that would make any security expert cringe.Here's what makes this case particularly fascinating – Burton, a 28-year-old former guard, allegedly turned love into a liability. Her relationship with escapee Derrick Groves spans three years, predating her corrections career. When U.S. Marshals caught up with her Monday in New Orleans, they weren't just nabbing another accomplice; they were exposing deep-rooted problems in our corrections system.Let's talk about the escape itself. A faulty cell door, a removable toilet, and an unmanned guard post – it reads like a checklist of everything that could go wrong in a modern jail. The inmates didn't need sophisticated tools or elaborate plans; they just needed basic infrastructure failures and human error.I spoke with several corrections experts who couldn't believe the simplicity of it all. "A guard leaving post for food? That's Corrections 101," one veteran officer told me, shaking his head. "You never leave your post unmanned. Never."Burton's alleged role reveals a modern twist to the age-old story of corruption. Court documents show she facilitated video calls using jail-issued iPads – technology meant to humanize incarceration now potentially weaponized for escape planning. The conversations, described as "intentionally vague," showcase the challenges of monitoring digital communications in correctional facilities.Attorney General Liz Murrill isn't mincing words. "We will find you, arrest you and prosecute you," she declared, though some might say that horse has already left the barn. With Burton's arrest, the total number of accomplices in custody hits 16 – a network that speaks to the extensive support system these escapees engineered.Eight captures down, two to go. Groves and Antoine Massey remain at large, though their options narrow daily. Groves, facing life without parole for a Mardi Gras Day double murder, and Massey, wanted on serious violent charges, have proven surprisingly elusive despite a $50,000 reward.Burton maintains her innocence through a text to AP: "I categorically deny any involvement." But in my two decades covering criminal justice, I've learned that text messages to news agencies rarely tell the whole story.This case isn't just about a jailbreak or a forbidden romance – it's a wake-up call about the state of our corrections system. When basic security measures fail this spectacularly, we need to ask harder questions about oversight, funding, and training.As this story continues to unfold, one thing's certain: New Orleans' latest drama isn't finished yet. And somewhere out there, two dangerous men are hoping we lose interest before they lose their freedom.