John McAllister , the inmate who became a standout figure in Netflix's gripping docuseries Unlocked: A Jail Experiment , tragically passed away on Sunday.
At just 29 years old, McAllister was discovered lifeless in his cell at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on June 2. He was declared dead after being rushed to Jefferson Regional Medical Center at 8:50am.
While the exact cause of death remains a mystery, officials have dismissed foul play and self-harm as possibilities. His untimely death occurred just 30 days shy of his anticipated release date.
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The documentary, which premiered in April, delves into an unconventional social experiment at Pulaski County Regional Detention Center that granted inmates increased autonomy and liberties within the jail.
Known affectionately as "Eastside," McAllister won over viewers with his knack for finding humor amidst adversity. His entrepreneurial spirit shone through when he set up a tattoo parlor during the show.
McAllister's brush with the law dates back a decade, with 14 incarcerations to his name. At the time of his passing, he was serving a three-year term for a slew of offenses including ten drug-related felonies, breaking and entering, theft, and illegal gun possession.
Throughout the series, he voiced a heartfelt desire to own up to his mistakes and make a fresh start. "His sudden passing has left our family devastated," shared McAllister's aunt, Melissa Regan, on a GoFundMe page created to fund his memorial service.
Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins is the driving force behind Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. Speaking at Netflix's Tudum Festival, Higgins shared his reasons for creating a new environment within the prison. "How do we make the facility safer, and what can we do to still hold them accountable but empower them at the same time? " he questioned.
At an NAACP QandA conference in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 10, Higgins discussed his rehabilitation goals for the facility. "I want to humanize people. I want to empower people to have an impact on their culture, environment, and community," he expressed.
However, some see the docuseries as exploitative. Justice of the Peace Phil Stowers, District 13, voiced his concerns to Fox 16, saying, "It's not a question as to whether or not the sheriff has the ability to try something out of the box, something new in the jail. The questions and concerns are why did that have to turn into a reality TV show?"
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