Cochise sheriff cites jail problems after New Orleans escape, renews call for new facility

Sheriff Mark Daniels said a mass escape from a New Orleans detention facility underscores operational risks in jails and renewed his long-standing call for a new Cochise County jail.

Daniels told hosts on First Watch that what troubled him most about the New Orleans case was the apparent failure to detect multiple absences and a lengthy delay before staff realized detainees were missing. "How'd you miss 10 people running out the back door?" he asked, and added that the New Orleans facility had "an 8 hour advantage" because officials did not check on inmates until the next morning.

The sheriff described Cochise County's own procedures while stressing the county's facility needs. "Cochise County Sheriff's Office in a facility that's in horrific shape," Daniels said. "We have a system that we check every 30 minutes. And that's for the welfare. The biggest responsibility the sheriff has is not to punish people in jail, it's to safeguard them." He added that he has pushed for a new jail since taking office and that the county has been working through jail-district planning and related challenges.

Why it matters: Daniels framed the New Orleans escape as a reminder that detention operations and facility conditions are public-safety issues that can have countywide consequences. He said inadequate facilities raise both operational risk and legal exposure for the county.

Supporting details: Daniels described elements that concern him in the New Orleans incident: apparent lapses in supervision, use of non-corrections civilian monitors, and prolonged periods without head counts. He singled out that a civilian monitor had stepped away for lunch at a critical moment. "They had a civilian monitor, not a detention or correction officer watching," Daniels said.

Daniels also emphasized that the sheriff's office has publicly pushed for replacement detention space over the past 13 years and that the county is subject to vicarious-liability risk once officials have knowledge of failing conditions. He said staff frustration remains high because of what he called long-standing facility deficiencies and repeated efforts to secure improvements.

Context and next steps: Daniels did not announce a new funding source or bond measure on the show. He said the county has continued discussions about the jail district and related remedies but did not list a timeline or specific approvals required. The National incident he cited remains under investigation, and Daniels noted several escapees remained at large at the time of his remarks.

Ending: Daniels closed by urging listeners and policymakers to treat detention conditions as a public-safety priority. "We need a new jail," he said, repeating a long-held position that the county must resolve facility shortcomings to protect inmates, employees and the broader community.