Netflix fans have been left 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 taking place at the Pulaski County Detention Facility in Arkansas.
The six-week program sees detainees try out an open prison concept which revolves around the ‘radical ideal’ of having no locks and no officers.
The unique docu-series, which has so far received a 7.3 out of 10 rating on Netflix, has captured the attention of viewers who are branding 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 taking place at the Pulaski County Detention Facility in Arkansas
In the official trailer, which is set against a string of clips featuring violent prison outbursts, the voiceover artist announces: ‘Jails in America are violent and understaffed which means inmates are locked down for up to 23 hours a day.
‘That’s why this sheriff is willing to risk it all on a new radical idea. No locks and no officers.’
It then cuts to show Sheriff Eric Higgins who shared with inmates: ‘We’re going to let y’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 act more like people and not criminals.
‘It could end in helping somebody to be free and stay free.’
But one doubtful inmate seemed unconvinced as he shared: ‘Man, come on. It’s a pod full of felons.’
The trailer shows the ominous moment all the doors of the prison cells are opened – and it seems inmates are all entering in the experiment with different goals.
The six-week program sees detainees try out an open prison concept which revolves around the ‘radical ideal’ of having no locks and no officers
Sheriff Eric Higgins (pictured) told his inmates: ‘We’re going to let y’all be a community… It could end in helping somebody to be free and stay free’
But one doubtful inmate seemed unconvinced as he shared: ‘Man, come on. It’s a pod full of felons’
Some describe it as a ‘big opportunity’ as they play basketball and help each other shave their beards but others proclaim they want to ‘get lit in this motherf**ker’ as they seemingly attempt to make alcohol and drugs inside the facility.
Former prisoner Leifel Jackson shared with KARK: ‘I stayed in the hole almost 12 months in United States Lewisburg prison. There’s nothing like those doors and keys, that’s just traumatizing.
‘I think it’s a part of an experiment that may have a big impact on our state some years down the road.
‘Taking the doors out of it gives you the hope to know, “hey if they are taking the locks off these doors, anything can happen.”
‘I would love to see the outcome of [the series].
‘If it wasn’t for some of the implementations that I had to go through while I was in prison, I probably wouldn’t be here today.’
The trailer shows the ominous moment all the doors of the prison cells are opened – and it seems inmates are all entering in the experiment with different goals
Eric continued: ‘The detainees will have six weeks to prove that they can act more like people and not criminals’
Some describe it as a ‘big opportunity’ as they play basketball and help each other shave their beards – but others took a very different view
Sheriff Eric also told the outlet: ‘This series explores the challenges faced by jails and prisons, such as low staffing, overcrowding, and the negative stigma.
‘Despite these difficulties, my team and I are working on new ways to improve our facility in order 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 this journey will not only change the lives of the individuals involved, but also challenge society’s views on incarceration and rehabilitation.’
Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their mixed thoughts on the newly released series.
One person wrote: ‘Alright so I just started Unlocked: A Jail Experiment on Netflix. I’m finna be in the same spot all day watching this. I can feel it.’
Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their mixed thoughts on the newly-released series
A second person commented: ‘This Jail Experiment show is about to be wild #Unlocked: A Jail Experiment on Netflix is crazyyyyy!!’
Another added: ‘This new Unlocked: A Jail Experiment series on Netflix is so good.’
Someone else wrote: ‘He had me watching Unlocked on Netflix and why was I all into that Jail Experiment show!’
‘Sobbing. Just finished Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. Detainees are not animals and they need human connection.
‘More to say on urgent need for prison reform, but for now, [I’m] thankful for the peak into this experience and rooting for the men of H-Unit and Sheriff Pulaski,’ one added.
Another person was on the fence and wrote: ‘Unlocked: A Jail Experiment is idk. I mean different kinds of programs or something to actually help REHABILITATE them would’ve been a more effective use of extra time outside of their cell. Just my opinion.’
Although the Netflix show serves as a social experiment, countries such Finland have successfully created open prisons, which focus on rehabilitation and allow prisoners to attend school and get a job, according to Chicago Sun Times.