Netflix’s ‘Unlocked’ Jail Experiment Sparks Debate

Netflix’s ‘Unlocked: A Jail Experiment’ has become a recurring topic of discussion, drawing both praise and criticism for its portrayal of a social experiment conducted on inmates in a small Arkansas jail. The docuseries has maintained its grip on audiences, ranking as the third most-watched Netflix show last week and accumulating a total of 63 million viewing hours between April 8 and 28.

The series follows Sheriff Eric Higgins as he leads a six-week experiment at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility. The goal? To explore ways to enhance safety within the facility while also empowering the inmates. Forty-six carefully vetted inmates were selected to participate, and they were granted unusual privileges, such as having their cell doors unlocked, making their own daily choices, receiving free phone calls, and even being provided money to purchase items from the commissary.

Despite initial concerns, the experiment showed promising results. Sheriff Higgins noted an improvement in behavior, a safer environment, and a cleaner facility, attributing these changes to the inmates’ newfound sense of responsibility and ownership. However, the experiment was not without its challenges. There were incidents, such as an inmate caught whittling a shank and a group altercation over suspected cheating during a card game, which raised questions about the risks and ethical considerations of such an approach.

The airing of ‘Unlocked’ has not only sparked interest in the experiment itself but also in the lives of the inmates featured. Several of them have experienced changes in their detention status or legal cases since filming. For example, Daniel Thorr Gatlin, known as Crooks, was released from jail after the show was filmed but was later rearrested on methamphetamine drug trafficking charges in January. Krisna Piro Clarke, also known as “Tiny,” completed his sentence and has been released. Chauncey Young has been released on bond. However, some, like Raymond “AJ” Lovett, John “Eastside” McCallister, and Randy Randall, are still serving time but have been transferred to other facilities.

The series has not been without controversy. Hailey Shackelord, who tragically lost her son to an inmate involved in the experiment, criticized the show for what she perceived as rewarding violent offenders. Shackelord expressed her pain, stating, “Real people that are hurting [are] seeing one of the people that murdered my son doing an experiment and getting gifts and free phone calls and all this stuff when I can never call my child again.” Jordan Parkinson, one of the Pulaski County inmates, was initially charged in 2022 with capital murder in the death of Shackelord’s son, Jadon. However, all murder charges against him were later dropped, and he agreed to testify against another suspect.

The filming of ‘Unlocked’ has also led to legal issues within Pulaski County. State officials questioned Sheriff Higgins’ decision to allow a production crew to film inside the facility, leading to an ordinance requiring Higgins to provide documents related to filming, answer questions about the process, and report any payments made for the show. Higgins disclosed that the Pulaski County Government received a $60,000 check for the show, and two employees were paid $40 per hour for their off-duty hours. In response to the controversy, the county later returned the check to Lucky 8, the show’s production company.

While there has been no official announcement regarding a second season, ‘Unlocked: A Jail Experiment’ continues to spark discussions on the complexities of incarceration, rehabilitation, and the criminal justice system.