Breakout Star of Netflix's Controversial Series "Unlocked" Dies 30 Days Before Release
John 'Eastside' McAllister, a breakout star of Netflix's controversial documentary series "Unlocked," was found dead in his bunk at Pulaski Correctional Center in Arkansas on Sunday, June 2. The 29-year-old inmate was only 30 days away from his scheduled release. Authorities have not yet established the cause of death.
"Unlocked: A Jail Experiment," which began airing in April, featured inmates granted a degree of independence and autonomy within the prison. McAllister, who had a long criminal history and was serving time for multiple felony counts, was prominently featured running a tattoo parlor from his cell.
Officials stated that McAllister was pronounced dead at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, just before 9:00 a.m. Murder and suicide have been ruled out as causes of death. McAllister was serving a three-year sentence for ten drug-related felony counts, breaking and entering, theft of property, and gun possession. He had pleaded guilty in 2023.
McAllister’s criminal history began at age 19 and included 14 different stints behind bars. Despite his troubled past, his story resonated with many viewers. He explained on the show that his life of crime gave him an "adrenaline rush high."
A GoFundMe page set up by his aunt, Melissa Regan, has raised $340 of its $15,000 goal to cover funeral expenses and transport his remains to family members in Omaha, Nebraska. "His sudden passing has left our family devastated. The cause of his death is under investigation," reads a statement on the page.
In a 2016 Facebook post, Regan accused McAllister and his girlfriend of stealing electronics from her home during his struggle with meth addiction. McAllister had attended Omaha North Magnet High School in Nebraska and was living in Vilonia, Arkansas, prior to his incarceration.
Last month, Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins defended the decision to film the series at the county jail amid scrutiny from local and state officials. The series focused on a six-week experiment that allowed inmates more freedom by unlocking their cell doors. Higgins stated he did not approach Netflix or Lucky 8, the production company, about the series, but aimed to ensure a reentry program to help inmates reintegrate into society.
Republican Sen. Jonathan Dismang and other lawmakers expressed concern over the exploitation of prisoners and the potential damage to the state's reputation. Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde claimed the agreement with the production company was illegal, and the county has since returned a $60,000 check from the filmmakers.
Higgins, the county's first Black sheriff, has received support from community members and the Little Rock chapter of the NAACP. Democratic Sen. Linda Chesterfield emphasized the importance of humane treatment for inmates and the varied perspectives on the issue.
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