Bangin’ doc, part II

More of what we don’t need

This is what happens at a news outfit that maintains a separation of news and opinion. The newsroom does its thing—without input from the opinion writers—and we opine without input from the news writers/editors/photographers/etc.

Since we insist on reading a news article about a subject before we draw an opinion (!), sometimes the newsroom outruns us.

Such happened this week. After several days of reading about this “Unlocked” Netflix show—a series that apparently will show local inmates running the show behind prison walls—we opined that the high sheriff of Pulaski County should explain himself. Which he apparently was doing with the paper’s reporters while we wrote.

In all fairness, good for him. His side of the story was all over the front page Thursday, above the fold, as we say.

Sheriff defends series filming in county jail

Sheriff Eric Higgins still seems on the outs with the county judge and the county’s attorneys. The sheriff was urged to seek private legal counsel. That doesn’t seem good.

But given that days went by with a sheriff’s office that largely allowed a spokesperson to talk to the public on this subject, the sheriff did the right thing by having a sit-down with the paper. “My desire was to do something that really meant something,” he said. And doubtless that’s true.

It is in Netflix’s interest to drum up publicity for its series, so it’s no surprise that the trailer showed fights between inmates, prison wine being made, and somebody lighting up inside the jail. (The sheriff’s office says it wasn’t weed, but a con by one of the inmates.)

We haven’t been given any kind of preview of “Unlocked,” and will try to watch the first episode on April 10 like many people in central Arkansas. It may be part reality show, part documentary, part warning to others.

What it probably isn’t is good advertising for the state or the county. That is, if the trailer can be trusted. Which it certainly can’t.

But at least the sheriff is talking. Let’s hope he continues come April 11.