Central Arkansas Correction Center - AR DOC

03/18/2026

Cpl. Carter was recently recognized by her shift leadership for consistently going above and beyond in her duties. She is also the first participant in the newly created Shift Supervisor mentorship program, a program developed and implemented by Lt. Ives that aims to prepare all Officers with the skills they need to step into a supervisory role. Great job!

03/16/2026

We want to congratulate our newest ServSafe graduates. Every one of these students not only graduated with a Food Handler certification, but also with a Managers level certification!

02/17/2026

We are proud of these graduates and look forward to watching them succeed in the future.

Friday, the first class of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ pilot program to reduce recidivism in Arkansas’ corrections system graduated from the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College Future Fit Program.
Read more at https://doc.arkansas.gov/stories/first-class-graduates-from-governor-sanders-recidivism-reduction-pilot-program/.

02/02/2026

The Central Arkansas Community Correction Center would like to recognize Sgt. Huff as our February employee of the month! Sgt. Huff always performs his duties admirably, but went above and beyond during the recent winter storm by picking up and dropping off fellow employees all week when travel was hindered by the icy conditions. Thank you Sgt. Huff!

11/19/2025

UPDATE: November 20, 2025- inmate Wayne Schutz is back in custody.

On Tuesday, November 18, inmate Wayne Schutz, #180381, was found missing from his work release assignment from Prospect Steel at the Port of Little Rock earlier this afternoon.
Schutz is suspected to possibly have fled in a 2015 White Dodge pickup, license plate number 1DYXN. He is currently being housed at the Benton Work Release Unit and is serving an eight-year sentence for breaking and entering out of Faulkner County.
Anyone with information about inmate Schutz’s whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately.
The Division of Correction and the Division of Community Correction are working with local, state and federal law enforcement to follow leads.

08/20/2025

The Arkansas Division of Correction (ADC) is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for both our incarcerated population and staff. As part of this commitment, we will soon be implementing a new Digital Mail System for processing correspondence sent through U.S. Mail.
Learn more at doc.arkansas.gov/correction/inmates/mail-and-money/ -mail-system.

08/04/2025

06/27/2025

Last Call: Lt. Sammie Owens

After decades of unwavering service, leadership, and dedication, Lt. Sammie Owens is signing off for the final time. Your legacy, impact, and example will continue to echo throughout these halls long after your last shift. Thank you for your years of sacrifice and commitment to duty. Enjoy your well-earned retirement you deserve every moment of peace and joy ahead.

10-42 – Lieutenant Sammie Owens, officially retired. We salute you, sir. 💙🖤

06/06/2025

Escaped Inmate Grant Hardin Recaptured Near North Central Unit Friday Afternoon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALICO ROCK – Escaped inmate Grant Hardin has been recaptured and was taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, June 6.

Hardin was found by Arkansas law enforcement officers and the U.S. Border Patrol near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, roughly a mile and a half west of the North Central Unit. Tracking dogs were able to pick up a scent in the area, and Hardin was apprehended a short time later.

The capture of Hardin ends a nearly two-week manhunt that included hundreds of local, state, and federal agencies.

"Thanks to the great work of local, state and federal law enforcement Arkansans can breathe a sigh of relief and I can confirm that violent criminal Grant Hardin is back in custody,” said Governor Sarah Sanders. “I am grateful for all law enforcement who contributed to his capture and give special thanks to the Trump administration and Secretary Kristi Noem, who sent a team from Border Patrol that was instrumental in tracking and apprehending Hardin.”

“I’m incredibly appreciative to all of our dedicated law enforcement agencies that spent countless hours, both day and night, sacrificing their time, utilizing their resources and lending their invaluable expertise to this search,” said Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace. “To every one of our Department staff that assisted in this manhunt over the last 13 days, I give my heartfelt thank you for your immeasurable contributions to bring this search to a peaceful conclusion.”

“I’m so proud of our Department staff and all the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for being steadfast as they always are,” said Chairman of the Board of Corrections Benny Magness. “I’m appreciative of them dedicating their time and sacrificing all they did to ensure Mr. Hardin was recaptured and the community could feel safe.”

“This was a great joint operation by a number of agencies, and I’m so thankful for their tireless efforts,” said Director of Division of Correction Dexter Payne. “The Arkansas State Police, U.S. Marshals, FBI, Border Patrol, Game and Fish, all the state and local agencies, along with the dedication of our Department employees, all played an indispensable role and I express my extreme gratitude.”

Hardin escaped from the North Central Unit at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Sunday, May 25 by impersonating a law enforcement official.

06/04/2025

UPADTE: Escaped inmate Grant Hardin has been recaptured and was taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. on Friday, June 6.
Read more on our website: https://doc.arkansas.gov/stories/escaped-inmate-grant-hardin-recaptured-near-north-central-unit-friday-afternoon/

The search for escaped inmate Grant Hardin is ongoing as teams continue to focus their efforts in the north central region of Arkansas while investigating tips as they are received.
With over a week passing since Hardin escaped the North Central Unit, we are releasing an updated wanted poster with the possible updated headshot which could reflect how he might look today.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

05/27/2025

UPDATE ON ESCAPED INMATE GRANT HARDIN:
As of Tuesday morning, May 27, inmate Grant Hardin remains at large. An active search remains in effect involving a number of law enforcement agencies from across the state. At this time there are no additional updates. Once developments occur, we will advise media as appropriate.

An official investigation is still ongoing into the events leading up to his escape to help determine any assistance he may have had.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately.

05/25/2025

UPDATE 11:30 p.m.:
CALICO ROCK - As of 11:30 PM on Sunday, May 25, the search for inmate Grant Hardin, ADC # 168541, is ongoing. The search is a joint effort including the Department of Corrections, Arkansas State Police, and local and state law enforcement offices.
It has been determined that Hardin was wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement when he escaped the North Central Unit. He was not wearing a Department of Corrections uniform, and all DOC-issued equipment has been accounted for.
Officials continue to utilize a variety of means to track Hardin, as well as investigating the events that led up to his escape. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
Again, Hardin remains at large, and anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
CALICO ROCK – On Sunday, May 25, at approximately 3:40 p.m., inmate Grant Hardin, ADC #168541, escaped from the North Central Unit.
Anyone with information about inmate Hardin’s whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately.
The Division of Correction and the Division of Community Correction are working with local, state and federal law enforcement to follow leads.
Hardin has been at the North Central Unit since 2017, serving a 30-year sentence for first degree murder, as well as an additional sentence for r**e. Hardin was the former police chief for the city of Gateway with a background in law enforcement.
Further information will be provided as it becomes available.