Pulaski County inmate featured in Netflix’s ‘Unlocked: A Jail Experiment’ says it changed his mentality
PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. – An inmate who was featured in the Netflix series, “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment” said he hopes he can change his life around for the better no matter if the cameras are rolling or not.
“Unlocked: A Jail Experiment” took place at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility in Little Rock and shows Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins performing a social experiment by unlocking the doors of a unit with felons and removing guards with the aim being that the inmates could work together to build a better community for themselves and others in the pod.
Since its release to the public, the show has faced controversy from some local leaders and has garnered mixed reactions from the public.
One inmate participant, 27-year-old Rashaad Scott of Little Rock, said the experience was like no other.
“We were not on 23 and 1, we could come out when we wanted, we didn’t have to take turns, and it just felt good to me,” he said.
Scott said for years he spent time in and out of jail and although he is still possibly facing multiple charges, he says when filming he wrapped up he still felt like he needed a change.
“I’m just staying in the Bible, keeping my faith in God,” Scott said.
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In North Little Rock, the D.I.M. Way pallet manufacturing company has a second chance program that partners with a court order program, allowing convicts like Scott to work there.
Scott added how working there helps him because he “has structure, has the ability to do what I need to do and stay on the right track.”
LaToya Moore is the chief operating officer for the manufacturing company and one of Scott’s bosses. She said he is one of the hardest workers.
“He started off shooting them manually with the nail gun but he has worked his way up now he is the machine operator,” Moore said. “He is one of the hardest workers I have out there in the warehouse.”
Moore said she can see that Scott is trying to make changes for the better and noted he is one of their longest workers through the program.
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Scott urges those who are down a bad path that it is not too late to change their life around.
“I’m trying to keep on the right path, not a narrow path, have my faith in God and not go back to my old habits and just have a change,” Scott said.
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