Netflix's social experiment, Unlocked: A Jail Experiment, gives viewers a fresh perspective on the US prison system. One of the inmates we've come to respect is John McAllister from Unlocked: A Jail Experiment.
Who is John "Eastside" McAllister and where is he now? More importantly, how did the Netflix show affect him?
Spoiler and Content Warning: This article includes spoilers for Unlocked: A Jail Experiment, so proceed with caution. This article also contains descriptions of
Who is John McAllister from Unlocked: A Jail Experiment?
John "Eastside" McAllister was arrested in 2014 for alleged theft from an exotic pet store in Omaha. The police reports revealed that McAllister was able to break through the front door using a hammer.
Together with his accomplices, they managed to fill their bags with snakes and reptiles. The 19-year-old was apprehended by police officers as he was carrying a 10-pound snake.
When the police arrived, the thieves dropped their bags, which led to the escape of the animals. Officers were only able to capture around 50 to 60 animals, which was estimated to cost a total of around $40,000.
He was sentenced to five years in prison for burglary and narcotics possession. Even though he received a five-year sentence, he was allowed to go on discretionary parole in 2021 as he worked as a tattoo artist.
McAllister claimed that this was helpful to his mental health.
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What Happened to Eastside on Unlocked: A Jail Experiment?
Although he maintained a low profile in jail, he was excited about being part of Sheriff Eric Higgins' experiment.
Eastside is part of the young group in prison who decided to celebrate their newfound freedom by partying. He was bothered by the elder prisoners' decision to step up and monitor everyone.
While he followed the rules at first, he kept a low profile by continuing to tattoo other inmates using stapler pins and soot. Unfortunately, they decided to start a fire so they could smoke.
They ignited a fire using batteries from a clock and a burning wick. When police searched the area, they weren't able to find anything.
Fearing that the experiment would be halted, Eastside decided to take ownership. He even signed official documents proving that he owned the prohibited items confiscated by the police.
After his admission, the experiment continued. Eastside, however, lost certain rights. But he continued to live in H-Unit. The show also noted some positive improvements to Eastside's mental health.
On the last day of the experiment, he argued that it should continue.
Where is John McAllister Now?
Eastside had been moved to another prison. He continues to do tattoo work.
Do you agree with Eastside's stance on the experiment continuing? Let us know in a comment below.
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