Escaping Accountability: The 'Devil in the Ozarks' Prison Break

Two employees at a prison in Arkansas have been dismissed following the escape of an inmate dubbed the 'Devil in the Ozarks.' Corrections officials confirmed the firings were due to policy violations that facilitated Grant Hardin's escape.

Hardin managed to flee from the Calico Rock facility after disguising himself in a fake law enforcement uniform. Officials have stated there was no evidence that staff intentionally aided his escape, but negligence allowed it to occur.

Legislators, raising concerns about broader systemic failures, demanded an investigation into how Hardin could orchestrate his escape unnoticed. They urged corrections officials to address weaknesses in security protocols and rethink the placement of high-risk inmates.

(With inputs from agencies.)