80-Year Sentence Defeated: Former Cop Escapes Arkansas Prison

Former Arkansas Police Officer, Serving 80 Years, Escapes Prison On May 25th, 2025, Grant Hardin, a 56-year-old former Arkansas police officer serving an 80-year sentence for murder and rape, escaped from the high-security Calico Rock prison. Surveillance footage shows Hardin, disguised in a uniform similar to that of a prison guard, pushing a utility cart through a secured gate. "This improvised disguise wasn't a real prison guard uniform, but a similar-looking outfit," stated a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Corrections. The escape occurred during heavy rain, which has hindered the search efforts. Hardin's criminal history is extensive. He was initially sentenced to 30 years for a 1997 murder, and later received an additional 50-year sentence for the rape of a teacher in 1997. His DNA was only recently linked to the 1997 rape after his initial conviction. Authorities are concerned that he may attempt to steal a vehicle or take someone hostage. Roadblocks have been set up, and according to the New York Times, "passengers of each vehicle were checked." The escape highlights security concerns at the prison and the ongoing manhunt for a dangerous criminal.