John ‘Eastside’ McAllister, known for his appearance on Netflix’s groundbreaking series Unlocked: A Jail Experiment, has died.
The 29-year-old was found unresponsive in his cell in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on June 2nd and was pronounced dead after being transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center at 8:50 am.
Authorities have ruled out suicide and foul play in his sudden passing, which tragically occurred just a month before his anticipated release from prison.
Unlocked: A Jail Experiment, which premiered in April on the streaming platform, delved into a fascinating social experiment.
The series aimed to create a more rehabilitative environment at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Center by offering more autonomy to 46 inmates there and tracking how it affected them.
While the inmates remained under guard supervision, they were given more freedom as to how they spent their days and were allowed to come and go from their cells.
McAllister, known by his fellow inmates as Eastside, left an impression on viewers with his positive attitude. He notably starting a tattoo business during the show’s filming in an effort to hone a skill and improve his circumstances.
McAllister was dealt a difficult hand in life and had innumerable run ins with the law, ultimately resulting in 14 jail terms. At the time of his death, he was serving time for offenses that included ten drug-related felonies, breaking and entering, theft, and unlawful firearm possession.
‘His sudden passing has left our family devastated,’ McAllister’s aunt, Melissa Regan, shared on a GoFundMe page set up to cover his memorial service costs.
The page has since seen an outpouring of support from fans and viewers who were touched by McAllister’s story.
Sheriff Eric Higgins of Pulaski County was the creator of the series. Speaking at Netflix’s Tudum Festival, Higgins elaborated on his mission to create a safer and more empowering facility. ‘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 reflected.
During an NAACP Q&A session in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 10, Higgins expanded on his goals for the series.
‘I want to humanize people. I want to empower people to have an impact on their culture, environment, and community’ he stated, highlighting the need for rehabilitation and positive change within the American correctional system.
However, the series has not been without its critics. Justice of the Peace Phil Stowers of District 13 voiced his concerns to Fox 16, questioning the motivations behind turning the initiative into a reality TV show.
‘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?’ Stowers remarked, reflecting a broader debate about the ethics of reality television in sensitive settings.
As the community grapples with McAllister’s untimely death, the impact of Unlocked: A Jail Experiment continues to spark conversations about incarceration, rehabilitation, and the power of media to influence public perception.
McAllister’s legacy, marked by his journey towards redemption and his untimely demise, leaves a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding the criminal justice system and the individuals within it.
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