Netflix's latest reality docuseries explores the idea of how detainees are being treated and whether some adjustments can be made. Let's take a look at one of the inmates: Raymond "AJ" Lovett from Unlocked: A Jail Experiment.
Spoiler and content warning: This article includes spoilers for Unlocked: A Jail Experiment, so proceed with caution. This article also contains descriptions of suicide.
Who is Raymond "AJ" Lovett?
Raymond "AJ" Lovett is an inmate from Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. He was arrested for aggravated assault and capital murder after an incident in an Arkansas hospital in 2022.
During the incident, Lovett paid a visit to his friend, Jade Pye, who was at a hospital. Lovett suspected that Pye's fiance, Leighton Delane Whitfield, was mistreating him.
While there, things got heated when Whitfield asked Lovett to plug in his charger close to him. He ignored Whitfield's request and went to the washroom.
When he returned, Lovett had a gun out and fired a total of nine shots onto Whitfield's chest and back.
It was later learned that while he was in the washroom, Lovett sent a text to his stepmother saying, "I should kill this boy right now. I'm standing two feet away from him. I've never shown this much restraint in my life."
He was sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years on "firearm enhancement."
How Did Raymond Lovett Land on Unlocked: A Jail Experiment?
Unlocked: A Jail Experiment is a real docuseries with real inmates. Production took place at Little Rock's Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility.
Arkansas sheriff, Eric Higgins, ensured that the detainees who participated in the show went through a screening process. They also knew what they were signing up for and were given the option to leave the experiment at any time they wanted.
Although there were a total of 50 prisoners who joined the show, there were a few inmates who stood out. Raymond Lovett is one of them.
During the show, Lovett was placed under suicide watch since he was mentally affected by the lockdown. Instead of modifying his food and medication, Lovett was moved to solitary confinement.
It was the second time he landed in the "hole" after he attempted suicide when he first got to prison. He shared that he slammed his head on the belt buckle of the police car until he split his head.
He went to the hospital for stitches and was put in the "hole."
Where is Raymond Lovett Now?
Unlocked: A Jail Experiment has finished filming. Lovett is currently serving his life imprisonment sentence at the Varner Unit in Lincoln County, Arkansas. He is 24 years old.
If you are affected by the topics discussed in this article and need someone to talk to, you can call or text 988 to access the USA Samaritans' Suicide and Crisis helpline or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). For more mental health and crisis resources, visit the Samaritans' website.
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