Key Takeaways:
– Actor John McAllister of Netflix’s “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment,” died on June 2 in an Arkansas jail.
– McAllister was known as “Eastside” and was an inmate at Williams Correctional Facility.
– The cause of McAllister’s death remains unknown.
– A GoFundMe page has been initiated to aid his family during this troubling time.
In a surprising turn of events, John McAllister, known to the public as “Eastside” from Netflix’s reality series, “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment,” tragically died on Sunday, June 2. Authorities discovered him unresponsive in his cell at Williams Correctional Facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, according to local reports.
Unclear Circumstances Around McAllister’s Death
Although authorities rushed McAllister to a hospital after discovering him, he was declared dead upon arrival. As per THV11, the renowned actor was serving his sentence in the Pine Bluff facility from 2023. The exact cause of death remains unclear and under investigation, however, both suicide and foul play have been ruled out in the early stages.
McAllister’s Unexpected Death and His Show’s Controversial Experiment
McAllister’s sudden departure resonated greatly due to his role in “Unlocked: A Jail Experiment.” The Netflix series, a social experiment set in Pulaski County Jail in Arkansas, introduced a revolutionary approach to incarceration. It allowed inmates more autonomy, opening cell doors and removing prison guards from the premises.
While a number of lawmakers in Arkansas raised their concerns over this unconventional format, the Pulaski County Sheriff, Eric Higgins, remained firm. He claimed that the objective was to humanize people and motivate them to have an impact on the broader community. The series tried to empower detainees to create structure amidst the absence of guards and restrictions, fostering a unique internal dynamic.
John McAllister: Criminal Record and Personal Life
Also known by his moniker, “Eastside,” McAllister had spent a significant proportion of his life behind bars, with 14 incarcerations to his credit since the age of 19. This time, McAllister was serving a three-year term at Williams Correctional Facility for ten felony convictions relating to drugs, breaking and entering, property theft, and possession of firearms, according to KATV.
Despite his troublous past, McAllister attempted to reform himself by catching up on creative pursuits such as tattoo artistry while incarcerated. As per Unilad, the actor took on the role of a prison tattoo artist, a detail that was somewhat masked by the controversial reality that the Netflix show embodies.
Support Pours in for McAllister’s Family
Following McAllister’s unexpected departure, a relative named Melissa set up a GoFundMe page to gather funds to cover the costs of memorial services and transportation. The page’s heartbreaking description narrates the gloomy situation, stating that McAllister had only 30 days until his expected release but met a tragic end. Currently, the family is planning a Celebration of Life for McAllister and has asked for community support at this difficult time.
The sudden death of John McAllister, a recognizable face from Netflix’s innovative reality series, has left his fans, family, and the inmate community devastated. It has also raised further questions about prisoner rights and conditions in America’s incarceration system.
There remains much uncertainty and anticipation surrounding the investigation into McAllister’s cause of death, leaving a plot worthy of a gripping series, albeit a tragic real one. A life taken away under strange circumstances can only lead to calls for justice and fairness, underlining the human rights aspects that sometimes get locked away, ironically, even in reality TV shows.