US Edition‘Devil in the Ozarks’ planned prison escape for months, cited lax security in kitchen, report says
Grant Hardin exploited lax security and procedural failures at Calico Rock prison to escape using a self-made law enforcement uniform, prompting staff firings and ongoing investigations.
- Grant Hardin, a former police chief serving lengthy sentences, escaped from Calico Rock prison on May 25, 2025.
- Hardin planned the escape over six months, exploiting lax kitchen security and misclassification as a medium-security inmate.
- He fashioned a fake law enforcement uniform from kitchen materials and walked out after directing an officer to open a gate.
- Two employees were fired and several suspended for procedural violations, including allowing unsupervised dock access and unlocking gates without ID checks.
- Hardin was captured June 6 near the prison, moved to maximum security, faces escape charges, and investigations and legislative hearings continue.
34 Articles
34 Articles
The 'Devil in the Ozarks,' former police chief turned convicted murderer, escaped from prison after monthslong planning using kitchen supplies
A former police chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” spent months planning his escape from an Arkansas prison, and said lax security in the kitchen where he worked allowed the convicted murderer to gather the supplies he needed, an internal review by prison officials released Friday said. The Department of Corrections’ critical incident review of Grant Hardin’s May 25 escape from the Calico Rock prison provides the most detailed description …
Associated Press News
'Devil in the Ozarks' planned prison escape for months, cited lax security in kitchen, report says
An internal review reveals that a former police chief, known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” spent months planning his escape from an Arkansas prison.
Report: Hourly phone calls, lack of supervision and recycled cans aided in Hardin's escape
RELATED VIDEO: U.S. Border Patrol posts new photos of Hardin’s arrest CALICO ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Lax security, policy mistakes and staff missteps allowed convicted murderer and rapist Grant Hardin to escape from the North Central Unit on May 25, 2025, and remain free for nearly two weeks, according to a newly released critical incident review. Ordered June 16 by Arkansas prison director Dexter Payne, the review by a Critical Incident Commit…
Grant Hardin lived off berries, eggs, ants while on the run | New report details how ex-police chief escaped Arkansas prison
A critical incident report detailed the escape, misclassification, and security issues at the Arkansas prison where Grant Hardin escaped in May 2025.
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