Arkansas authorities are investigating the escape of Grant Hardin, a convicted former police chief with a history of murder and rape, from the Calico Rock prison. Hardin, 56, escaped by disguising himself in what appeared to be a law enforcement uniform while working in the prison kitchen. His job in the kitchen, assigned in the maximum-security wing of the medium-security facility, is under scrutiny to determine if it facilitated his escape, as he may have had access to tools that could assist him.
The prison’s kitchen operates in two shifts and maintains strict inventory control over utensils, but experts suggest that inmates might cleverly exploit their assignments for escape opportunities. Bryce Peterson, a criminal justice expert, noted that while a kitchen may not seem a likely source for escape tools, inmates are often motivated and resourceful. The escape prompted local, state, and federal authorities, including the FBI, to launch a search for Hardin, offering a $10,000 reward for information on his whereabouts.
There have been sightings of a person resembling Hardin in southern Missouri, though authorities have found no confirmation. Search teams have also responded to a reported tip in central Arkansas. The prison’s handling of Hardin’s kitchen assignment has raised concerns among legislators and victims’ families. Cheryl Tillman, sister of one of Hardin’s victims, expressed unease about Hardin’s unsupervised access in the kitchen and emphasized the fears it brings to the community now that he has escaped.
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