Internal Review Exposes Months-Long Planning, ‘Lax Security’ Behind ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ Prison Escape

A recently obtained internal review by the Arkansas Department of Corrections has shed new light on how convicted murderer Grant Hardin, known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” meticulously planned his May 25 escape from an Arkansas prison over six months, exploiting significant security lapses within the facility’s kitchen.

Hardin, a former police chief, revealed to investigators that he leveraged the “very lax” security in the prison kitchen, where he worked, to gather supplies. He crafted a fake law enforcement uniform using black Sharpie markers and laundry found in the kitchen, and fashioned a badge from a can lid. He hid these items in a trash can, confident they wouldn’t be discovered during routine checks.

The review details how Hardin simply directed a tower guard to “open the gate” as he walked out, with the guard failing to confirm his identity. This, along with a kitchen employee allowing Hardin unsupervised access to a back dock, contributed to his escape. Following the incident, two prison employees have been fired for procedural violations, with others suspended or demoted. The report also noted Hardin’s misclassification, stating he should not have been held at the medium-security Calico Rock prison.

Hardin was recaptured on June 6, 2025, just over a mile from the prison, after a challenging search by authorities using canines, drones, and helicopters amidst heavy rain. He survived in the woods on smuggled food, distilled water from his CPAP machine, and foraged items like berries, bird eggs, and ants, intending to hide for months and move west.

This critical incident review is one of two investigations into Hardin’s escape, with the Arkansas State Police also conducting a probe. Legislative subcommittees are holding hearings on the matter, with lawmakers expressing concerns about systemic issues. Hardin, who was serving multiple sentences for murder and rape, has pleaded not guilty to escape charges, with his trial set for November.

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