Arkansas Prison Inmate Escapes Using Homemade Uniform and Tactics
A convicted murderer and rapist who broke out of an Arkansas prison over the summer planned his escape for six months. He collected items while working in the kitchen, stashed them in rarely checked areas, and used black Sharpie markers to color clothes, create a police badge from a food can, and make body armor from kitchen aprons. After escaping on May 25, he wore a makeshift uniform, pushed a cart with wooden pallets, and walked out the gate. Guards allowed him out without checking ID. He survived on berries, bird eggs, ants, and creek water for the first night, but lost his food bag the second night. Hardin was captured on June 6 by border patrol and state officers after tracking dogs found his scent. He is scheduled for trial in November. The committee found he was incorrectly classified and should have been in a more secure prison. The prison made changes including removing black kitchen aprons, adding cameras, and changing gate locks.