Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office gives update after mistaken inmate release

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Officials with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office have released an update detailing terminations, suspensions, corrective actions and an official timeline after an inmate was mistakenly released from the Orleans Parish Justice Center on Friday, July 25.

The inmate mistakenly released has been identified as 30-year-old Khalil Bryan, who was booked on both violent and non-violent charges. Officials said he was let out due to human error and inadequate protocol adherence, stemming from Bryan’s shared last name with another detainee.

OPSO policy reportedly calls for a deputy to confirm the inmate’s identity by checking the wristband and comparing it to the picture on their wristband before escorting them through the intake release corridor and handing the inmate off to the designated release deputy. A deputy also has to provide the inmate’s name, date of birth, reason for release and folder number.

As a result of the mistaken release, OPSO officials said two deputies have been fired for a “severe breach of duty and process,” five deputies have been suspended for procedural failures and negligence in the identification process and changes have been implemented to assist in preventing errors like this from happening in the future.

Those changes reportedly include a mandatory supervisor review for all releases, in which a sergeant or higher has to verify and approve all releases, revised operating procedures for the inmate release process and mandatory training for staff on the procedure. Additionally, an audit is being undertaken reviewing “IPC rank structure, staffing competencies and leadership accountability.”

The OPSO also released the following timeline, detailing what happened in this incident, and when:

• 1:17 a.m. – Khalil Bryan mistakenly released from 1B housing unit.
• Around 5 a.m. – Count takes place.
• Around 7 a.m. – Roll call takes place.
• 11:10 a.m. – OPSO records, in conjunction with partners, realized the error.
• 11:36 a.m. – OPSO begins investigation to locate Khalil Bryan.
• Around 12:45 p.m. – OPSO began informing criminal justice stakeholders and those impacted, including Criminal District Court, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police and victim.
• 3:45 p.m. – Public notified.
• 6 p.m. – New bond received for Kavin Bryan. (NOTE: Kavin could not be released until this happened.)
• 10:40 p.m. – Kavin Bryan interviewed by SID at Bryan’s request. (NOTE: Kavin requested to be interviewed by SID.)
• 10:54 p.m. – Kavin Bryan properly released from OPSO custody.

OPSO officials say the public wasn’t informed of the incident until 3:45 p.m., as Bryan wasn’t considered an immediate threat to the public and was in custody primarily for non-violent charges, having already bonded out on previous violent offenses. Apprehension efforts reportedly started quietly at known addresses to avoid jeopardizing the search.

Anyone with information that can help to recapture Khalil Bryan can contact 911, the OPSO at 504-881-7520 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

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