• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Inmate ‘Eastside’ from Netflix prison docuseries has died aged 29

Home> News> US News

Updated 10:41 4 Jun 2024 GMT+1Published 10:13 4 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Inmate ‘Eastside’ from Netflix prison docuseries has died aged 29

John 'Eastside' McAllister featured heavily on Netflix's Unlocked: A Jail Experiment

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

An inmate who appeared on Netflix's Unlocked: A Jail Experiment has died.

John McAllister - known as 'Eastside' on the experimental prison programme - was just 29.

The inmate was found unresponsive in his bunk on Sunday morning (2 June), with authorities later confirming to local Arkansas TV station KATV of the sad news.

KATV reports McAllister was transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Centre in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Advert

He was pronounced dead at the health care centre at 8.50am. No foul play or suicide is suspected.

John McAllister on Netflix's Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. (Netflix)
John McAllister on Netflix's Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. (Netflix)

The inmate was certainly a main player in the Netflix series after being incarcerated at Williams Correctional Facility in Pine Bluff.

He was given a three-year prison sentence last year after being convicted of ten felony counts related to drugs, breaking and entering, theft of property, and firearms possession.

Advert

It wasn't McAllister's first offence, as he had previously been incarcerated 14 times.

Offences stretched back to when he was 19 years old.

At Williams Correctional Facility, the inmate had been working as the prison tattoo artist and would regularly ink his fellow prisoners.

But McAllister certainly became a recognised face across the globe as he featured on Unlocked: A Jail Experiment.

Advert

The eight-part series, which premiered back in April, followed the lives of several inmates at the Pulaski County Regional Detention facility.

More interestingly, it explored whether or not prisoners could be trusted to govern themselves without guards.

Deputies were removed from the unit and a tier-based structure was put in place where prisoners who were on their best behavior would be rewarded.

The inmate was just 29. (Board of Corrections)
The inmate was just 29. (Board of Corrections)

Advert

And those who took part in the experiment were left baffled when the rules seemed to be suddenly relaxed.

McAllister was interviewed as part of the Netflix docuseries, as he reflected on his criminal past.

He spoke about how breaking the law had given him an 'adrenaline' rush.

"All I've been around is criminals… I love that adrenaline rush high, knowing you could get caught," he said.

Advert

Arkansas sheriff Eric Higgins spoke to Netflix's Tudum ahead of the release as he shared his bold vision for the series.

"We thought, ‘What can we do to create some ownership for those detainees in that unit? How do we make the facility safer, and what can we do to still hold them accountable but empower them at the same time?’'" he told the outlet.

LADbible Group has reached out to Netflix for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Netflix, Crime, Film and TV

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
8 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • CBS/YouTube
    an hour ago

    Horrifying moment plane crashes during takeoff and skids into nearby buildings leaving at least 7 dead

    The UPS cargo plane was taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport when it crashed

    News
  • Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    Forgotten Jonathan Bailey Prime Video series has near-perfect 97% ratings

    Critics say the drama is 'joyous' and 'brilliant'

    Film & TV
  • Law & Crime
    12 hours ago

    What Alex Murdaugh really thinks of Hulu's hit drama series about his murders has been revealed

    Murdaugh was convicted of killing his wife and son in 2023

    News
  • Lionsgate
    12 hours ago

    Isla Fisher addresses return to water tank in Now You See Me after stunt went ‘horribly wrong’

    The actor took a dip once more upon her return to the Now You See Me franchise

    Celebrity
  • Legendary actor Michael Madsen has died aged 67
  • ‘Rare’ Netflix mini-series based on shocking true story binge-watched for 33 million hours
  • The Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died suddenly aged 54
  • The Godfather and Something's Gotta Give actor Diane Keaton has died aged 79