Netflix fans are stunned by the streaming site’s ‘most UNHINGED’ show yet – as they say they’ve never seen such a ‘risque, crazy’ series
Netflix fans have been stunned by the streaming site’s ‘most unhinged show’ yet.
The TV show Unlocked: A Jail Experiment, which debuted on the streaming platform on Wednesday, follows a social experiment that takes place at the Pulaski County Detention Facility in Arkansas.
The six-week program sees prisoners try out an open prison concept, revolving around the ‘radical ideal’ of having no locks and no officers.
The unique docu-series, which has so far received a rating of 7.3 out of 10 on Netflix, has captured the attention of viewers who label it as ‘wild’ and ‘crazy.’
The new TV show Unlocked: A Jail Experiment debuted on the streaming platform on Wednesday
It follows a social experiment that takes place at the Pulaski County Detention Facility in Arkansas
In the official trailer, which is set against a series of clips of violent prison breakouts, t.he voiceover artist announces: ‘Prisons in America are violent and understaffed, meaning inmates are locked up for up to 23 hours a day.
‘That’s why this sheriff is willing to risk it all on a radical new idea. No locks and no officers.’
It then cuts to show Sheriff Eric Higgins, who shared with the inmates: ‘We will let You must all be a community.’
Many of the prisoners were seen laughing in apparent disbelief at the new idea.
Eric continued: ‘The detainees will have six weeks to prove that they can behave more like human beings and not criminals.
‘It could end up helping someone get free and stay free.’
But one dubious inmate didn’t seem convinced as he told: ‘Man, come on. It’s a bunch full of criminals.’
The trailer shows the ominous moment when all the doors to the prison cells are opened – and it appears that the inmates are all entering the experiment with different goals.
The six-week program sees prisoners try out an open prison concept, revolving around the ‘radical ideal’ of having no locks and no officers
Sheriff Eric Higgins (pictured) told his inmates: ‘We’re going to let you all be a community… It might end up helping someone get free and stay free’
But one dubious inmate didn’t seem convinced as he told: ‘Man, come on. It’s a bunch full of criminals
Some describe it as a ‘great opportunity’ as they play basketball and help each other shave their beards, but others proclaim that they want to “get turned on in this morf**ker” as they apparently try to make alcohol and drugs inside the facility.
Former prisoner Leifel Jackson shared KARK: ‘I stayed in the hole almost 12 months in Lewisburg US Prison. There’s nothing like those doors and keys, it’s just traumatizing.
‘I think it’s part of an experiment that could have a big impact on our state a few years down the road.
‘Taking the doors off of it gives you hope to know, “hey, if they take the locks off these doors, anything can happen.”
‘I would love to see the result of (the series).
‘If it wasn’t for some of the deployments I had to go through while in prison, I probably wouldn’t be here today.’
The trailer shows the ominous moment when all the doors to the prison cells open – and it appears that the inmates are all entering the experiment with different goals
Eric continued: ‘The detainees will have six weeks to prove that they can behave more like human beings and not criminals’
Some describe it as a ‘great opportunity’ as they play basketball and help each other shave their beards – but others had a completely different view
Sheriff Eric also told the broadcast: ‘This series explores the challenges facing prisons and jails such as understaffing, overcrowding and the negative stigma.
“Despite these difficulties, my team and I are working on new ways to improve our facility to create a safer environment for our employees and help those in our care through responsibility and accountability.
‘Did we face obstacles? YES! However, I believe that this journey will not only change the lives of those involved, but also challenge society’s view of incarceration and rehabilitation.’
Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their mixed thoughts on the recently released series.
One person wrote: ‘Okay so I just started Unlocked: A Jail Experiment on Netflix. I want to be in the same place all day and watch this. I can feel it.’
Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their mixed thoughts on the recently released series
Another person commented: ‘This Jail Experiment show is about to be crazy #Unlocked: A Jail Experiment on Netflix is crazyyyyy!!’
Another added: ‘This new Unlocked: A Jail Experiment series on Netflix is so good.’
Another wrote: ‘He made me watch Unlocked on Netflix and why was I all over that Jail Experiment show!’
‘Hiccuping. Just finished Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. Detainees are not animals and they need human connection.
“More to say about the urgent need for prison reform, but for now (I’m) grateful for the pinnacle of this experience and the anchoring of the men of H-Unit and Sheriff Pulaski,” one added.
Another person was on the fence and wrote: ‘Unlocked: A prison experiment is idk. I think different kinds of programs or something that can actually help REHABILITATE them would have been a more effective use of extra time out of their cell. Just my opinion.’
Although the Netflix show functions as a social experiment, countries like Finland have successfully created open prisons that focus on rehabilitation and allow inmates to go to school and get jobs, according to Chicago Sun Times.