“Unlocked: A Jail Experiment:” Comprehensive Guide To Successful Reintegration

Individuals leaving correctional detention face many challenges as they reintegrate after jail back into their communities. When released from jail or prison, a person may struggle to secure stable employment, access affordable housing, repair relationships, and cope with mental health and substance abuse issues. Societal, legal, and cultural barriers often increase individuals’ risk of re-incarceration.

Comprehensive and holistic reintegration of ex-offenders is crucial to reducing recidivism rates in ex-offenders. Re-entry programs for ex-fenders create support systems, develop skills, and access the necessary resources to reintegrate and contribute to society. However, not all state and local justice systems have the funding and staffing to support successful re-entry. Researchers have begun exploring innovative and alternative strategies to prepare inmates for life outside confinement in the last decade. In a new eight-part docuseries on Netflix, Unlocked: A Jail Experiment follows Sherriff Erin Higgins as he attempts an unconventional reintegration experiment with his inmates on H-block at Pulaski County Jail in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In Unlocked: A Jail Experiment, Sherriff Higgins removes the law enforcement, correctional officers, and deputies from H-block and unlocks the doors to the inmates’ cells, where they are typically confined for 23 hours daily. One of Higgins’s primary goals in allowing the inmates to move freely about the block is to simulate a real community, like most inmates eventually return to.

In the criminal justice system, reintegration refers to transitioning former offenders from incarceration back into their communities. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 650,000 ex-offenders are released from state and federal prisons annually, with nearly two-thirds of them being re-arrested within three years.

Individuals leaving the corrections system encounter significant obstacles that prevent them from successfully transitioning back into everyday life. Some of the most common barriers include the following:

• Securing employment with a criminal record
• Finding affordable and reliable housing
• Accessing primary, affordable healthcare providers
• Accessing mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Rebuilding strained family or interpersonal relationships
• Navigating complex legal and administrative requirements regarding parole, probation, and case management

Many inmates shown in Unlocked: A Jail Experiment have already spent time behind bars. For some, their criminal histories began long before detention in Pulaski County community corrections. John “Eastside” McCallister, H-block’s in-house tattoo artist, said that he has been in and out of jail for almost a decade.

“I’ve been in jail…14 times. So, ever since I was 19, I’ve been in and out of jail, you know what I mean?” he said.

The 28-year-old Nebraskan was arrested and detained at Pulaski County on charges of drug possession with a firearm.

“I’ve never even had a driver’s license, but I’ve been f*****g in high-speed chases and some worse s**t,” he said.

He then told producers about robbing a pet store while on acid at the age of 19—his first arrest.

“All I’ve been around is criminals,” Eastside said.

He also said he has struggled with drug addiction and maintaining sobriety, among negative influences in and out of jail.

“I’ve been using meth…since I was eight,” he admitted. “I could be sober…as long as I got people that are, like, sober around me,” he said.

Since filming Unlocked, Eastside has been transferred to prison to finish his three-year sentence for his robbery conviction. However, Eastside’s story exemplifies just a few factors and obstacles that influence ex-offenders’ chances of relapse and re-arrest.

When searching for a job, formerly incarcerated people should be open and honest about their criminal record instead of trying to hide it. Framing the experience as something that inspired your personal growth and change can help counteract any potential assumptions about your trustworthiness.

Former prisoners and inmates should highlight any vocational training, educational programs, or rehabilitation efforts they completed during their incarceration on job applications. Emphasizing these experiences will demonstrate your sense of initiative and commitment to self-improvement.

Other things ex-offenders can do to improve their chances of securing employment include the following:

• Establish a Professional Network: Building relationships with re-entry program leaders can help secure potential references from people who have worked with you during reintegration.
• Project Confidence: During interviews and meetings with potential employers, maintaining eye contact and confident body language can help offset feelings of self-consciousness or lingering doubts on the hirer’s end.
• Follow Up with Employers: Persistence pays off, and following up promptly after interviews can help you reiterate your interest and qualifications to employers.
• Consider Temp or Part-Time Work: Sometimes, getting a foot in the door through temporary, part-time, or contract work can be a wise strategy for building a steady work history post-release.

• American Job Centers provide full assistance to job seekers under one roof. Services include job search assistance, training referrals, and career counseling.
• The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) offers various programs and resources to help individuals find employment, including job training and placement services.
• USAJobs, operated by the United States Office of Personnel Management, is the federal government’s official employment site, offering federal jobs and employment information.
• State Workforce Agencies operate job banks, job training programs, and employment programs in each state. These agencies help job seekers find work and transition into new careers.
• Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) is dedicated to helping veterans, service members, and their spouses find and keep good jobs.
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federally funded employment and training program that offers services to job seekers and incumbent workers through state and local agencies.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies are state-run agencies that assist individuals with disabilities in finding employment consistent with their skills and capabilities.
• Small Business Administration (SBA), while primarily focused on small business owners, the SBA also offers programs that can indirectly assist individuals in finding employment through job creation and small business support.

Stable, affordable housing is critical to successfully reintegrating into society after incarceration. Without a place to live, recently released individuals cannot address other important aspects of their reintegration, like finding employment, seeking health care, or acquiring skills training.

Researchers at the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonprofit prison reform advocacy group, found in 2018 that formerly incarcerated people are nearly 10 times more likely to experience homelessness compared to the general public. Their research also supports evidence that recently released individuals are at a higher risk of becoming homeless shortly after release.

The Prison Policy Initiative also found that those who have been incarcerated just once experience homelessness seven times more often than those who have not been detained. Individuals who have been to prison more than once are twice as likely to become homeless post-release than those who have been incarcerated only one time.

As public safety systems across the country continue to criminalize homelessness with policies that prohibit sleeping in public spaces, panhandling, and other low-level public offenses, ex-offenders facing housing insecurity are at a higher risk of recidivism or re-arrest.

Although recent fair housing laws in multiple states have prohibited landlords and property management companies from discriminating against applicants with criminal records, the practice is still overwhelmingly common due to stigma and misconceptions about formerly incarcerated people.

According to a 2007 survey of Ohio landlords, 43% said they would be more likely to reject an applicant if they had a criminal history. The primary offenses those surveyed indicated as grounds for rejection included violent crimes, sexual offenses, and murder.

When completing rental applications, the approach is similar to applying for a job. Be honest and not glaze over your criminal history. In a 2022 survey of more than 1,000 landlords nationwide, the Urban Institute found that criminal history is among the top five criteria that more than 90% of landlords consider when screening rental applicants.

Completing a rental application may help your case by providing a statement to the property manager or landlord explaining the nature of your offense, how long ago it occurred, and the positive steps you’ve taken toward rehabilitation and reform.

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees federal programs to help Americans meet their housing needs. They offer programs such as public housing, Section 8 housing vouchers, and FHA loans.
• Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored enterprise that keeps mortgage markets stable and assists individuals in buying, refinancing, or renting homes.
• Freddie Mac is a government-sponsored enterprise that plays a significant role in the U.S. housing finance system, providing mortgage capital to lenders.
• National Housing Institute (NHI) supports the individuals and organizations that help communities build safe and affordable housing. It offers resources and training for housing professionals.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development offers loans, grants, and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services such as housing, health care, first responder services and equipment, and water, electric, and communications infrastructure.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides housing assistance to veterans and their families, including programs like the VA Home Loan Program and grants for disabled veterans to make home modifications.
• State Housing Finance Agencies offer various forms of housing assistance, including affordable rental housing and homebuyer programs, typically tailored to the needs of residents within their states.
• Public Housing Authorities provide safe and affordable rental housing for eligible low-income families, older adults, and persons with disabilities.

Ex-offenders often face a unique set of mental health challenges as they reintegrate into society. The transition from incarceration to the community can be complex and stressful, impacting their psychological well-being.

Below are several conditions that can impact individuals after being within the prison population:

• Many ex-offenders experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to traumatic events they may have witnessed or experienced while incarcerated. This can include violence, threats, or prolonged isolation in solitary confinement.
• The isolation, stigma, and difficulties associated with re-entering society can lead to depression. This might be exacerbated by the struggle to find employment and rebuild relationships with family and friends.
• Anxiety and panic disorders are common among ex-offenders due to uncertainties about their future, including fears about re-offending and returning to prison. The stress of adapting to life outside prison can also trigger panic attacks.
• After spending time in a controlled environment with strict routines, adjusting to the autonomy of everyday life can be overwhelming. This adjustment disorder can manifest as stress, irritability, and difficulty managing daily activities.
• Many ex-offenders return to environments that may exacerbate substance abuse issues. Substance use can be a coping mechanism for dealing with the hardships of reintegration or a continuation of pre-incarceration behavior.

Incarceration environments can instill or amplify aggressive behaviors, and without proper rehabilitation, these behaviors can continue post-release, affecting mental health and social reintegration.

The stigma of being an ex-offender can severely impact one’s self-esteem, leading to feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, which are risk factors for several mental health disorders. Stigma and societal rejection can lead ex-offenders to withdraw socially, which exacerbates feelings of loneliness and can lead to mental health issues.

After being released from Pulaski County Jail, former inmate Daniel Thorr “Crooks” Gatlin began making the most of his reintegration by seeking treatment for meth addiction and working to advocate against substance abuse.

“I went through rehab. I’ve already gone through the treatment facility. I went through a detox center. I’m living in a sober living house,” he told Sherriff Higgins in the final episode of Unlocked.

“I work every day, and I reach out to younger kids and try to let them know, look at me: I’m [gang] affiliated, tattoos from head to toe…raised up in the streets, back and forth to prison, and you know what? If I can [recover from addiction], anybody can do it,” Crooks said.

Though Crooks was released from Pulaski County Jail in 2023, unfortunately, he was re-arrested in January 2024 for attempting to sell meth and fentanyl to undercover cops in Florida.

On Unlocked, Crooks repeatedly emphasized his desire to seek treatment for meth addiction once released from jail. After being arrested for aggravated robbery and theft, he was forced to get clean, discovering a newfound sense of clarity in the process.

“Basically, [for] everybody that’s in here, it all starts with some type of traumatic event as a child, which turns you off course,” Crooks explained.

He said he turned to drugs when he was younger to cope with the loss of his father, who died in a drunk driving accident.

“I started doing methamphetamine on a regular basis at, like, 13,” Crooks said, explaining he used up to seven times a day. “And then when I got arrested, I sat down and sobered up and realized that [using meth] is what’s done that to me.”

Crooks said being incarcerated has become another traumatic event that he believes has changed his direction again, but positively this time.

“This is probably the longest time I’ve ever been clean in my life, actually. I’ve been clean for three months, and my attitude has changed,” he said.

Crooks said that Sherriff Higgins’s experiement of trusting H-block’s inmates by opening their cell doors gave him more confidence to stay sober and overcome the trauma of incarceration. Crooks also recognized that being incarcerated has given him a level of support and structure he does not have on the outside.

“I’m not responsible enough…I’m not strong enough to take care of myself because of my actions that put me here,” he admitted. “There’s a lot of people that are like that—that are really smart and have a lot of talent that don’t know how to take care of themselves,” Crooks said, referring to the mental health and substance abuse struggles many incarcerated people struggle with.

• Mindfulness and meditation can help individuals stay present and engaged in the moment. Meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety by fostering a state of calm and relaxation.
• Physical exercise can significantly improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
• Adequate sleep has a profound impact on emotional and mental health, and lack of sleep can exacerbate emotional sensitivity and moodiness.
• Healthy eating habits are essential to maintaining a balanced diet. Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to mood swings and emotional instability.
• Journaling can help individuals understand and manage emotions more effectively.
• Professional therapy is beneficial for dealing with complex or overwhelming emotional challenges. Participants can learn techniques such as challenging negative thoughts and using positive self-talk to improve emotional regulation.
• Setting boundaries, learning to say no, and setting limits with others can help protect emotional space.
• Time management and an organized schedule can reduce stress and make time for enjoyable activities.
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs that can negatively affect your mood and emotional stability can lead to a better quality of life.

Incorporating these strategies into daily life post-release can help formerly incarcerated individuals better manage their emotional responses and improve their overall mental health.

Family and social support play a crucial role in maintaining mental well-being. Here’s how these relationships impact psychological health and contribute to emotional resilience:

• Emotional Support: Family and friends provide a vital source of emotional support, offering comfort, reassurance, and a sense of belonging. This support can be significant during times of stress or sadness.
• Sense of Belonging: Social connections help individuals feel part of a community or network, essential for emotional security and self-identity. This sense of belonging can counteract feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are linked to higher risks of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
• Practical Help: In times of need, family and friends can offer practical help, such as assisting with daily tasks, which can alleviate stress and allow for better focus on mental health.
• Improved Self-Esteem: Positive interactions with family and friends can enhance self-esteem and self-worth. Being valued and appreciated by others helps foster a positive self-image.
• Sharing and Problem Solving: Discussing problems with supportive family members or friends can lead to new perspectives and solutions. This collaborative problem-solving can reduce the emotional burden of dealing with issues alone.
• Modeling and Guidance: Family, especially parents, serve as role models. Healthy coping mechanisms demonstrated by family members can teach individuals effective ways to manage their emotions and stress.
• Stress Reduction: Engaging in social activities and enjoying quality time with loved ones can reduce stress. Laughter and leisure activities with others have been shown to decrease stress hormones and increase the body’s production of mood-enhancing chemicals.
• Buffer Against Mental Illness: Strong social support networks can act as buffers against the development of mental disorders. People with robust family or social connections are generally less vulnerable to mental health issues than those who lack such support.
• Encouragement to Seek Help: Family and friends can encourage individuals to seek professional help. They can also provide support during treatment, increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes.
• Recovery and Rehabilitation: In cases of mental illness, family and social support are integral to the recovery process. Supportive relationships and mentors can help ensure adherence to treatment plans and encourage persistence through recovery challenges.
• Prevention of Relapse: Ongoing support from family and friends can help prevent relapse in individuals recovering from mental health issues, providing a safety net during vulnerable times.

Family and social support are foundational to mental wellness. They provide emotional comfort, practical help, and a framework for developing healthy coping skills, all vital for maintaining mental health and resilience.

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders and offers a wealth of information on mental health conditions and resources.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides information on mental health treatment and offers a treatment locator service for finding mental health services in your area.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support groups, free education programs, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
• MentalHealth.gov is an online resource providing access to U.S. government mental health information and resources.
• Live Another Day is an online directory for individuals seeking treatment for addiction or mental illness. It provides resources and information on substance abuse and mental health recovery, focusing on helping those who need support in managing these challenges.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Mental Health offers resources for mental health support, including data, statistics, and tools for mental health promotion.
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) promotes the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, and related disorders and enhances the quality of life for those affected.
• American Psychological Association (APA) Psychologist Locator provides this tool to help you find psychologists in your area.
• Veterans Affairs Mental Health Services provides specialized mental health programs for veterans’ unique needs.
• Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7 support for those in crisis, connecting them with crisis counselors.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Facebook Support Groups for individuals reintegrating into society after jail can be a valuable resource for emotional support, practical advice, and community connection. While the content or members of the group are not a guarantee of the support each individual needs, they are a free, social resource that offers another means of potential connection.

Reintegration into society post-release requires more than finding a stable job and housing. It also means rebuilding your support system and sense of community, which are equally crucial to your long-term success as practical resources.

Social integration often includes repairing damaged relationships with family and friends. This process requires patience, humility, and a genuine commitment to change. You may need to have difficult conversations and work consistently over time to regain your loved ones’ trust slowly.

However, mending the relationships previously integral to your support system can become a new source of tangible, financial, and emotional support during offender reentry. According to La Vigne et al., maintaining a strong family support system during reintegration significantly improves former inmates’ chances of securing housing, employment, and mental health and substance abuse treatment while also decreasing their likelihood of recidivism.

For some ex-offenders, relying on family support post-release may complicate their reintegration journey. In a 2004 study by Visher et al., researchers noted nearly two-thirds of former inmates reported having at least one family member with a criminal history. Over 70% of respondents also reported having a family member with a drug or alcohol problem.

Though some ex-offenders may not have strong ties to family members who can support their re-entry, they should avoid engaging with friends who may influence them to participate in illegal activity post-release. In these situations, identifying negative peer influences and seeking out positive social interactions in your community is crucial to avoiding relapse and re-arrest.

Spending time with friends and family who make you feel safe and supported is critical. Social connections can help reduce loneliness and isolation during and after release from prison or jail.

During the Unlocked experiment, Sherriff Higgins recognized this notion, eventually allowing H-block inmates free phone access and increased visitation privileges as incentives to continue living and working cooperatively with each other.

For Krisna Piro “Tiny” Clarke, free access to the jail phones meant speaking to his teenage son, whom Tiny had not seen or spoken to in over a year.

After excitedly speaking with his son on the phone over the next few weeks, Tiny had the opportunity to see his son and his son’s mother with the sheriff’s added visitation privileges.

“I haven’t seen my child come to visit me in a place like this. And more or less, the mother of my child,” he said. “I gotta let a lot of my pride s**t go,” Tiny said.

He explained that the lack of cooperation and communication between himself and his son’s mother negatively affected his son and emphasized how much he wanted to repair his relationship with both of them.

“You listen to your mama. Make the right decisions. She’s kept you out this place for a reason,” Tiny told his son when they visited him at Pulaski County Jail. “You’re gonna be better than me,” he said.

“When I [saw] my boy, it made me really want to truly be in their life—his life, his mother’s life, making the relationship firm between all three,” Tiny said about his motivation after seeing his loved ones. “I can’t control the past, but I can control how I move forward in the future,” Tiny said.

Since being released from jail, Tiny has lived a crime-free life and has continued to be involved in his son’s and his son’s mother’s lives.

“Beating my charge, my day of leaving, I had to say as I was walking out, ‘I must make the right decisions for myself, for my kid, for my family,’” he said.

• VolunteerMatch is a platform that connects volunteers with organizations based on their interests and location. It offers a wide range of opportunities across various causes.
• Idealist connects millions of people who want to do good with opportunities for action and collaboration worldwide.
• All for Good is a service of Points of Light. This site aggregates and distributes volunteer opportunities across the U.S.
• United Way offers volunteer opportunities to improve education, financial stability, and health in communities worldwide.
• HandsOn Network is an affiliate of Points of Light. HandsOn Network offers various tools for finding volunteer work and resources for leading volunteer projects.
• Catchafire is a website that matches professionals who want to donate their skills to nonprofits needing expertise.
• AmeriCorps provides opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups.
• Habitat for Humanity volunteers can help build or improve homes worldwide.
• DoSomething.org is a platform that empowers young people to enact social change through national campaigns and local community service.
• GlobalGiving connects nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country worldwide, making finding and supporting projects in various sectors possible.

For ex-offenders, securing fulfilling, reliable employment is a significant milestone on the road to successful reintegration after incarceration. The career field can be overwhelming and present substantial roadblocks, from hiring biases to resume gaps.

However, as a former inmate, you can still take the initiative to make yourself appear more competitive and desirable over other candidates. Ultimately, employers may be willing to overlook a criminal record if an applicant demonstrates an earnest commitment to developing their skills and growing professionally.

Consider acquiring in-demand vocational skills through certification classes, apprenticeships, or individual learning. For ex-offenders especially, learning in-demand skills opens doors to well-paying, long-term careers in various industries, including the following areas:

• Manufacturing (industrial maintenance, quality control, machine operating)
• Healthcare (medical assisting, nursing assisting, phlebotomy)
• Transportation and logistics (truck driving, delivery services, freight transport)
• Construction trades (carpentry, plumbing, electrical work)

Workforce development programs, trade schools, and community colleges often offer accessible, affordable pathways for these individuals to develop skills and expand their opportunities. With the proper training and determination, ex-offenders can overcome employment hurdles and find meaningful work that puts them on the path to financial independence and successful reintegration.

• Coursera offers online courses from top universities and companies worldwide, covering a variety of subjects, including business, technology, and personal development.
• edX provides online university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines to a worldwide student body, including some courses at no charge.
• Udemy is an online learning platform for adults who want to add new skills to their résumés or explore their passions.
• Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empowers learners to study independently in and outside the classroom.
• LinkedIn Learning provides video courses by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills.
• Vocational Training HQ is an online guide to vocational training. It covers various trades and careers and provides information on training and the skills needed for specific jobs.
• Trade-Schools.net is a directory of trade and technical schools, vocational and career schools, community colleges, and universities in the United States and Canada.
• The Adult Learning Academy offers courses and qualifications in professional development, computer skills, English, and math.
• Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes on illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more for creative and curious people.
• National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (CTEcs) provides information about each state’s career and technical education and programs.
• Urban.org implements projects like “Connections to Employment,” which assist community college students in connecting to employment opportunities through career coaches and navigators.

The journey of reintegration into society after incarceration is rarely a linear one. Even with the best intentions and preparation, formerly incarcerated individuals often encounter unexpected obstacles and setbacks that can test their resilience.

The stigma of a criminal record can make even basic tasks like opening a bank account or renting an apartment complicated. Addiction recovery and mental health issues also pose significant ongoing challenges for many.

Similarly, former prisoners must cultivate an unwavering determination to overcome obstacles, even when progress seems painfully slow. This may involve seeking supportive communities, actively managing mental health, and celebrating small wins.

Reaching out for help during difficult times is also a sign of strength, not weakness. Social workers, counselors, mentors, and community organizations can provide guidance and resources to navigate complex reintegration challenges.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Resources and support systems are available to help you overcome challenges and successfully reintegrate. At The Summit Wellness Group, we are champions of community and resilience.

Whether you are struggling with a mental health condition, substance abuse, or another co-occurring condition, we have the resources and tailored treatment programs to support your transition back to everyday life after incarceration.

Let us support you on your path toward reintegration and recovery. Contact us at (770) 766-0212 or ContactUs@TheSummitWellnessGroup.com.