The Netflix documentary series Unlocked: A Jail Experiment will return for a second season on January 7, 2026. This new chapter moves the social experiment to a different part of the United States, introducing a new sheriff and a fresh group of participants. After the first season explored a controversial program in Arkansas, season two will test a similar idea in Arizona.
All eight episodes of the new season will be available for streaming globally on Netflix starting on its premiere date. The series is produced by Lucky 8 TV.
What Season 2 Is About
The upcoming season takes place at a correctional facility in Pinal County, Arizona. A newly elected sheriff, referred to as Sheriff Teeple, launches a six-week experiment. The central action involves unlocking the doors to an entire housing pod and removing deputies from inside the unit.
The goal is to break what the show describes as a cycle of aggression created by years of violence, lockdowns, and repeat offenders. By giving the men inside unprecedented control over their daily environment, the sheriff aims to test a different approach to rehabilitation. The experiment asks if granting more agency and responsibility can lead to better outcomes than traditional, highly controlled jail management.
A Look Back at Season 1
The first season of Unlocked: A Jail Experiment premiered on April 10, 2024. It was set in the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. There, Sheriff Eric Higgins ran a similar experiment, removing deputies from a unit and unlocking cell doors for six weeks.
Sheriff Higgins explained his thinking behind the original experiment. He wanted to see if creating ownership among the men could make the facility safer and more rehabilitative.
“How do we make the facility safer, and what can we do to still hold them accountable but empower them at the same time?”
The season followed the men as they navigated their new freedoms and responsibilities, dealing with conflicts, building routines, and managing their shared space. Participation was voluntary, and individuals could leave the experimental unit at any time. Sheriff Higgins stated that the doors to that original unit remain open.
Viewership and Season 2 Renewal
The first season performed well for Netflix. It spent four weeks in the service’s global Top 10 list, accumulating 69.8 million viewing hours in its early weeks. This equated to approximately 12.6 million views. The show’s performance in its initial month was strong enough to warrant a renewal, though Netflix did not officially comment on the renewal until recently.
The official renewal and the January 7, 2026 release date were confirmed alongside the release of a trailer and first-look images on December 9, 2025.
Key Details for the New Season
- Release Date: January 7, 2026.
- Episode Count: 8 episodes.
- Runtime: Episodes will run between 30 to 50 minutes each.
- Location: Pinal County, Arizona jail.
- Central Figure: Newly elected Sheriff Teeple.
- Experiment Length: Six weeks.
- Streaming Service: Netflix, globally.
How to Watch and What Else Is Coming
Unlocked: A Jail Experiment Season 2 will be available exclusively on Netflix. It will go live at 12:00 AM Pacific Time on January 7, which is 3:00 AM Eastern Time.
The series is part of a packed January 2026 lineup for Netflix. Other major releases that month include the comedy special Marcello Hernández: American Boy, which also premieres on January 7, and the highly anticipated return of Bridgerton for Season 4.
Also Read: The Abandons on Netflix: Is It Based on a True Story? Unpacking Its Real-Life Inspirations
Sources: (1)
