May 22nd 2024.
The decision of an Arkansas sheriff to allow a Netflix documentary series to be filmed at the county jail has sparked controversy and scrutiny from lawmakers. Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins, the first Black sheriff in the county, has stood firm in his decision to give the green light for the production crew of Unlocked: A Jail Experiment to enter the jail's walls. The eight-episode series, which premiered in April, sheds light on a six-week experiment where inmates in one cellblock are given more freedom by unlocking their cell doors.
Sheriff Higgins explained that it was Netflix and the production company Lucky 8 who approached him about the series, and that local and state officials only became aware of it shortly before its release. He also emphasized that his main goal was to implement a reentry program to help inmates become better individuals upon their release from the facility. Despite this, Republican Senator Jonathan Dismang criticized the series for exploiting prisoners. He questioned the labeling of the program as an "experiment" when it was being filmed.
Another conservative lawmaker, Representative David Ray, expressed concerns about the potential damage the show could do to the state's reputation, drawing comparisons to a previous documentary about gangs in Little Rock. He stated that for many viewers, this would be their first exposure to Pulaski County and Arkansas as a whole, and he worried about the negative impact it could have on the state's image.
While some have criticized Sheriff Higgins' decision, he has also received support from those on the same political side. During a hearing, the Little Rock chapter of the NAACP showed their support, along with other advocates who filled the room. Senator Linda Chesterfield acknowledged that there were different perspectives on the matter and stressed the importance of respecting each other's viewpoints.
On the other hand, Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde, the county's top elected administrator, claimed to have been unaware of the series and deemed the agreement illegal as he had not signed it. The production company had also sent a $60,000 check to the county, which has since been returned. Despite the backlash and criticism, Sheriff Higgins remains determined to continue with the reentry program and provide humane treatment for inmates who have been treated inhumanely.
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