Hourly phone calls, lack of supervision and recycled cans aided in Hardin’s escape, reports show

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CALICO ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Lax security, policy mistakes and staff missteps allowed convicted murderer and rapist Grant Hardin to escape from the North Central Unit on May 25, 2025, and remain free for nearly two weeks, according to a newly released critical incident review.

Ordered June 16 by Arkansas prison director Dexter Payne, the review by a Critical Incident Committee examined the escape, identified failures and recommended fixes.

The escape

According to the report, Hardin, 55, was assigned as a chemical clerk in the prison kitchen. On the day of the escape, kitchen supervisor FPS Justin Delvalle allowed him unsupervised access to the back dock and an unlocked side room used for storing pallets and recycl