Sheriff issues new directive after Jackson escape

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - KSLA Investigates obtained a copy of a new directive from Sheriff Whitehorn, sent to the department Tuesday.

The three-page directive lays out guidelines the sheriff put in place following Tre’veon Jackson’s escape.

Escape risk designation

The directive states that any inmate with prior escapes or escape attempts will automatically receive an escape risk designation. This designation also applies to inmates found with restraint keys or any item that could be used to remove restraints.

Transport requirements

Escape risk inmates will require a minimum of two deputies during transport, according to the directive. The same requirement applies to level three security inmates and inmates facing homicide or other violent charges.

Under the new policy, if two deputies are not available, travel will be delayed unless there is a medical emergency.

Escape risk and level three inmates will continue to be placed in full double-locked restraints. Those restraints will be checked multiple times, from before the inmates leave to when they return.

KSLA has posted the full directive, along with the previous policy created in 2001 and updated in 2023, on its website.