True crime enthusiasts across the UK are diving into the second season of a compelling Netflix documentary series filmed inside American prisons. Unlocked: A Jail Experiment continues to chart Sheriff Ross Teeple's radical initiative to grant inmates unprecedented autonomy within the Pinal County Detention Center.
The Experiment's Core Concept and Challenges
The series, which is climbing Netflix's popularity charts, documents the outcomes when incarcerated men are given a chance to self-govern. The experiment aimed to foster responsibility and improve prospects for rehabilitation. While the programme shows the initiative faced significant hurdles—including contraband smuggling, power struggles, and racial tensions—it also highlights numerous inmates who demonstrated genuine potential for positive change.
Viewers have taken to platforms like IMDb to praise the concept. One fan, RiaViewre, commented on the sheriff and staff's months of preparation, noting the goal was to create a better system that improved life for all and aimed to produce "more productive future citizens."
Where Are the Key Participants from Season 2 Today?
Sheriff Ross Teeple, the architect of the experiment, began his career in the US Navy before finding his calling in law enforcement. Elected as the 25th Sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona in early 2025, he remains committed to his community. He believes the experiment succeeded by giving inmates incentives to earn support from loved ones, leading to behavioural improvements. Teeple continues to oversee the project and, outside of his work, is passionate about animals and travel.
Ronald 'AO' Dunmire is currently serving his sentence at the mixed-security Arizona State Prison Complex - Yuma. With an anticipated release date of 11 April 2030, he works as a prison groundskeeper and follows a strict workout regimen to manage his anger. The documentary showed him returning to prison to complete a five-year sentence, where he enrolled in work and self-improvement programmes. He has expressed a deep desire to go home and rebuild relationships with his four children.
Elwood "Woody" Murphy Jr, now 40, is detained at the Lewis Corrections Department in Buckeye, Arizona, and is due to remain there until 30 July 2032. His life spiralled due to drug involvement, but he has since rebuilt family connections and remained sober. He has taken on various prison roles to maintain structure and told filmmakers he is ready to "experience life" upon release.
Ronald "Irish" Stricklett, in his 60s, is also at the Lewis Corrections Department with a release date of 18 November 2026. Determined to turn his life around, he is clean and has participated in prison work schemes like the New Beginnings Through Peers programme. He famously stated his aim to be a "different animal" upon release, swapping a "Grizzly" mentality for that of a "Panda bear."
A Path to Rehabilitation
Shane "Hondo" Tipton took a remarkable step towards change. After getting sober in Pinal County, he learned of the John Volken Academy, a two-year residential programme teaching life skills. He successfully petitioned a judge to transfer him to the scheme, where he remains today, sacrificing time with family to build a self-sufficient future.
Another inmate, KJ The series Unlocked: A Jail Experiment is currently available for streaming on Netflix, offering a stark look at an unconventional approach to incarceration and rehabilitation.
