Ten inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail Friday had prepared for their escape, and possibly had help, officials said.

There are indications the prisoners had help from “inside of our department,” the Orleans Parish sheriff said. Three employees are on leave, and an investigation is underway.

At least a dozen law enforcement agencies are searching for seven of the 10 men who broke out of a New Orleans jail by fleeing through a hole behind a toilet and scaling a wall