Despite reaching the top spot on the Netflix Top 10 series chart, Unlocked: A Jail Experiment has sparked controversy surrounding the conditions of the experiment and the safety of the participating prisoners.
The trial took place at Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility in Little Rock and was spearheaded by Arkansas sheriff Eric Higgins. He was frustrated by the cycle of incarceration in the US and wanted to implement a system like Norway’s, where prisoners are treated with dignity and respect, leading to the lowest rates of recidivism in Europe.
Over 45 inmates participated in the radical trial, which involved transitioning from being confined to their cells for 23 hours a day to residing in a unit where cells were unlocked and deputies were not present. This arrangement lasted for six weeks while the production team documented the outcomes.
The objective was to determine if a community-focused living environment could be created by increasing freedom and decreasing control. Despite some positive developments where inmates learned to collaborate, the final episodes saw a rise in violence when a prisoner was caught cheating at cards.
Despite the positive intentions behind strategies like these, the main issue is that they often demand a significant amount of time and resources to be successfully implemented. While there is no denying the good intentions of Higgins, it is important to consider ethical implications when conducting any social experiment that may take months or even years.
During Unlocked: A Jail Experiment, the attempt to promote dignity and accountability for prisoners resulted in certain individuals being put at risk after six weeks with no further interventions.
According to a Redditor, there are some individuals who are more vulnerable to potential physical and mental harm if a natural hierarchy and power structure were to form among the inmates. Some may even be fearful and would not have willingly participated in the experiment.
“Similar to the inmate who received a severe beating before the experiment even began, the videographers are present to observe. However, there is a question of ethics – should the camera person and producers intervene if they could have prevented physical harm from being inflicted upon someone else?”
One individual stated that simply opening the doors is not enough. To truly replicate the prison environment seen in some European countries, the jail must be built from scratch with smaller units, recreational spaces, and a system for rewarding or punishing behavior. Additionally, the layout of the jail does not lend itself well to the experiment.
Despite this, it is important to mention that the prisoners underwent a thorough screening process prior to their involvement in the Netflix series. Additionally, they had the option to leave the experiment at any point if they desired.
Social experiments always raise concerns about ethics
One Redditor stated, “Although the cellblock layout and limited recreational/educational resources are concerns, it can be argued that the benefits outweigh these problems. I appreciate the sheriff for making the most of the resources available and not using their limitations as an excuse to take no action.”
One person remarked, “You may not fully understand the purpose of this experiment. It is not meant to punish, but rather to bring about change. Everyone has a unique story and it is often easier to fall into difficult situations and make mistakes than we realize. The majority of these individuals are not inherently bad, but rather products of broken systems.”
Ultimately, the Prison Experiment in Unlocked served as a valuable learning experience. In the concluding episode, Higgins reflects, “I have learned the importance of being discerning when inviting individuals into the unit. It is crucial to be intentional because I have witnessed the fragility of this community. However, if we remain committed to this endeavor and use our learnings to enhance our methods, we can establish a more secure detention facility.”
Currently available on Netflix is Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. For other documentary options, check out the list of new releases for this month. You can also discover which TV shows to add to your watchlist here.
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