An Arkansas inmate dubbed the 'Devil in the Ozarks' orchestrated an elaborate six-month escape plan that culminated in him simply walking out of prison by fooling a guard with a homemade uniform.
According to Daily Mail Online, an internal Department of Corrections review released Friday revealed multiple security lapses that enabled the dangerous convict's escape.
Grant Hardin, a former police chief serving 80 years for murder and rape, successfully escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25 by creating a fake staff uniform from kitchen laundry and fashioning a badge from a can lid.
Hardin worked in the prison kitchen where he said security was "very lax," allowing him to collect materials unnoticed over months. He used discarded clothing and black Sharpie markers to create his disguise, hiding everything at the bottom of a trash can that he claimed was never searched.
Six Month Preparation Plan
The convicted murderer told investigators he spent half a year meticulously planning his escape from the medium-security facility. He collected materials gradually, taking advantage of unsupervised access to the prison's loading dock area.
Hardin described the kitchen security as extremely relaxed, which allowed him to gather items without detection. When the day came, he simply walked to the back gate wearing his fake uniform and instructed the tower officer to open it.
The guard complied without verifying Hardin's identity, a critical failure that the internal review highlighted. "He just directed the officer to 'open the gate,' and he did," the report noted.
Massive Manhunt Operation
Hardin's escape triggered an extensive search operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies across Arkansas. Canines, drones, helicopters, and ground teams were deployed to locate the dangerous fugitive.
The manhunt was complicated by heavy rainfall in the region, making tracking more difficult for search teams. Despite the challenging conditions, tracking dogs eventually led officers to Hardin's location just 1.5 miles from the prison.
During his nearly two weeks of freedom, Hardin survived in the Ozark wilderness by eating berries, ants, bird eggs, and smuggled prison food. He drank creek water and distilled water from his CPAP machine, planning to hide for up to six months before heading west.
Security Failures Exposed
The Department of Corrections review revealed significant security lapses that enabled Hardin's escape from the facility. Two employees were immediately fired as a result of the incident - a kitchen worker who allowed unsupervised dock access and the tower officer who opened the gate.
Several other staff members faced suspensions or demotions following the investigation. The report also cited confusion in the early hours about which agencies had been notified and when during the escape response.
The review revealed that Hardin had been misclassified and should never have been housed at the medium-security facility. His custody level had not been reassessed since 2019, a critical oversight given his violent criminal history.
Criminal Background Revealed
Hardin served as police chief in Gateway, Arkansas before his conviction on multiple serious charges. He was serving a combined 80 years for the 2017 murder of 59-year-old James Appleton and two separate rape cases from 1997. His criminal case became the subject of the 2023 true crime documentary "Devil in the Ozarks."
The former law enforcement officer was captured on June 6, nearly two weeks after his escape. He has pleaded not guilty to escape charges and his trial is scheduled for November. Following his recapture, Hardin was transferred to a maximum-security prison where he is now housed.
