wecastonlineOn Tuesday, Arkansas lawmakers questioned a sheriff’s decision to permit the filming of a Netflix documentary series at the county jail, with one critic accusing the move of exploiting inmates.
Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins defended the decision to allow the series, “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment,” to be filmed at the county jail. The eight-episode series, which premiered last month, highlights a program that gives some inmates more freedom at the Little Rock facility.
The decision has sparked scrutiny from local and state officials, who said they weren’t informed about the series until shortly before its premiere. The series documents a six-week experiment in which inmates in one cellblock were granted more freedom by having their cell doors unlocked. Higgins clarified that he did not approach Netflix or Lucky 8, the production company, about the series.
“I took action to ensure that we have a reentry program to help those who are booked into our facility to come out and be better individuals,” Higgins told members of the Joint Performance Review Committee.
Republican Sen. Jonathan Dismang stated he supports the sheriff’s reentry program and the effort to address recidivism but expressed concern about it being the focus of a show. He questioned how it could be considered an experiment if it was being filmed.
