Arkansas Code
Subchapter 6 - Justification
§ 5-2-613. Use of physical force to prevent escape from correctional facility or custody of correctional officer

(a) Unless the correctional officer knows or reasonably should know that a prisoner is charged with or has been convicted of only a misdemeanor, a correctional officer employed by the Division of Correction or by a private contractor in a correctional facility housing inmates for the division or a city or county correctional officer employed in a correctional facility or jail is justified in using deadly physical force when and to the extent that the correctional officer reasonably believes the use of deadly physical force is necessary to prevent the escape of a prisoner from:
(1) A correctional facility; or
(2) Custody of a correctional officer outside a correctional facility for any purpose.

(b) If the correctional officer knows or reasonably should know that a prisoner is charged with or has been convicted of only a misdemeanor, only nondeadly physical force may be used.

Structure Arkansas Code