Authorities in Arkansas have unveiled a photo rendering of Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and former police chief dubbed the "Devil in the Ozarks," as the search for the escaped inmate continues into its second week. This rendering, produced by the Arkansas Department of Corrections, aims to depict Hardin’s appearance following his escape on May 25 from Calico Rock prison.
State legislators have expressed their concerns regarding Hardin’s escape and are planning an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding it. The 56-year-old escaped by disguising himself in an outfit resembling a law enforcement uniform. This revelation has incited further scrutiny of security measures at the facility.
Rand Champion, a spokesperson for the department, indicated that search efforts are concentrated in the north-central Arkansas region, close to where the prison is situated. Despite receiving tips about potential sightings of Hardin, none have yielded results so far.
Hardin, who was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape, had previously served as the police chief of Gateway, a small town near the Arkansas-Missouri border, and was also the focus of a television documentary titled Devil in the Ozarks. He was incarcerated in a maximum-security section of the predominantly medium-security North Central Unit.
Questions have arisen regarding a job Hardin had in the prison kitchen, with investigators looking into whether this role provided him access to materials that could have facilitated his escape, including the creation of his makeshift uniform. Legislative leaders overseeing the prison system have signalled their intent to evaluate any inadequacies in security protocols that may have allowed Hardin to escape. Local lawmakers have particularly questioned why Hardin was housed at this specific facility, given his background and experience that potentially allowed him to manipulate the security measures in place.
In a letter sent to the head of the state board, Republican Representative Howard Beaty and Senator Matt McKee highlighted their concerns about Hardin’s prior law enforcement experience, which they believe equipped him with the knowledge to exploit weaknesses in the prison’s security framework. They described his ability to masquerade as a law enforcement officer as alarming, indicative of a systemic failure.
As the search for Hardin continues, officials remain focused on reinforcing prison security to prevent future incidents.