Arkansas prison employees fired after ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ escape
July 10, 2025
Two Arkansas prison employees have been fired after an inmate known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” escaped in May. Corrections officials said Thursday that the employees violated policies, allowing Grant Hardin to leave the Calico Rock prison wearing a fake law enforcement uniform. Hardin is a former police chief serving sentences for murder and rape. He was captured on June 6 not far from the prison. Lawmakers criticized the incident, calling it a sign of deeper systemic issues. Hardin has pleaded not guilty to an escape charge and is scheduled to face trial in November.