Where is Eric Higgins now? Pulaski County Sheriff answers quorum court ahead of 'Unlocked: A Jail Experiment' debut
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS: The Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility is the focus of an impending Netflix series, which has raised concerns among county authorities. Pulaski County Sheriff Eric S Higgins shocks the system in the Netflix series 'Unlocked: A Jail Experiment' by unlocking the doors of a unit full of offenders, enabling the inmates to control their own area.
The Pulaski County Quorum Court met on April 9th, the night before the launch of Netflix's new series 'Unlocked: A Jail Experiment'. It was typical business, but they didn't discuss the show or Sheriff Higgins's reaction to their newly approved ordinance.
Two weeks ago, the court approved an ordinance requiring the sheriff to answer 40 questions concerning the show's legality because neither they nor the county judge were aware of the recording. Sheriff Higgins had five days to react, and thv11 acquired the answers.
According to Sheriff Higgins, the series was taped between January 22 and April 22, 2023. Lucky 8, the production firm, issued Pulaski County a $60,000 check for filming. The check was delivered to the county's finance director.
During filming, the sheriff's deputies used force against convicts on many occasions. The majority were minor injuries, however, one was classified as a "critical incident" and was censored owing to private inmate information.
Sheriff Higgins stated that all detention procedures remained in force while shooting, despite the fact that Netflix billed the docuseries as "no locks and no officers." The sheriff stated that police were stationed near the open cells and were monitoring security cameras.
The judge was not present for the quorum court meeting, but he issued a statement stating the sheriff's replies should help the court improve processes. The court chair stated that he will meet with the sheriff later this week to gather more information regarding the filming procedure.
When did Eric Higgins become Pulaski County Sheriff?
On January 1, 2019, Sheriff Higgins was sworn in to lead the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. His law enforcement career began in 1984 with the Little Rock Police Department, where he spent 30 years before retiring in 2015 as Assistant Chief of Police.
While in the police department, he reopened the Police/Youth Live-In Camp, which is still in operation today. He was also influential in developing Little Rock's O.K. Program ("Our Kids"), a mentorship program for African American men.
Sheriff Higgins previously taught at Arkansas Baptist College and Shorter College. He has also volunteered as an instructor for the re-entry program Exodus - Out for Life.
Who is Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins?
When Higgins enrolled at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, he did not expect to become a police officer. He hoped to pursue a job in computer science. But he also wanted to spend money. A friend advised that he apply to the Little Rock Police Department.
Another acquaintance pushed him to apply, claiming that the department had several perks, including flexibility with his undergraduate schedule.
His parents were Ignatius and Gertrude Higgins. Ignatius was a bricklayer, while Gertrude worked for the Little Rock Housing Authority. The couple, who died, had eight children: six males and two girls. Higgins is their youngest son.
Higgins' family relocated from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Little Rock when he was a child. The children were raised Catholic and attended parochial schools. Higgins graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1983, one of only a few black students in his class.
The family lived in Little Rock's south end, near 28th and State streets. Higgins claims that he has worked to improve people's perceptions of police officers during the course of his career.
Sheriff Higgins holds a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies: Government and Business and a Master of Arts in Human Services: Executive Leadership and Counseling from Liberty University. He is on the Volunteers in Public Schools (ViPS) board. He also serves on the Governing Board of Lisa Academy.
Higgins worked his way up through the police ranks, beginning as a cadet in 1984. Higgins opted to retire after about 30 years with the Little Rock Police Department, including 10 years as assistant police chief. But when Chief Stuart Thomas announced his retirement, Higgins decided to apply.
Higgins was passed up in favor of Kenton Buckner, a 21-year veteran of the Louisville Metro Police Department. Buckner was sworn into office in June 2014. Higgins eventually retired.
In retirement, he was swiftly persuaded by Fellowship Bible Church members to participate in the Exodus Project - Out for Life. The initiative is a Christian-based re-entry program for offenders approaching the conclusion of their jail sentence. Inmates admitted into the program attend ethical, rehabilitation, and religion lessons multiple days each week.
Higgins admits he was unsure whether convicted felons would appreciate a retired assistant police chief, but he decided to give it a shot. He addressed the detainees about his professional history and shared memories from his time in uniform.
Higgins believes that re-entry programs are critical to decreasing recidivism rates. He cites examples of previous Exodus students who have overcome drug or alcohol addiction and gone on to have great jobs.
Amanda Tropf attended one of Higgins' courses. Years of drug misuse resulted in several trips to therapy, prison, and eventually incarceration at Arkansas Community Corrections. She now handles marketing for the Exodus Project.
Higgins taught various online seminars during his retirement, in addition to helping with the Exodus Project. He instructs a criminal justice course at Shorter College in North Little Rock.
After Pulaski County Sheriff Doc Holladay announced his retirement, Higgins was approached about running for the position. He hesitated, but then decided to start a re-entry program at the sheriff's office. This was his first run for public office.
The initiative he proposes will target offenders who are three to five months from the conclusion of their sentences. He aims to exchange bed space with the Department of Corrections, trading detainees at the county jail who are awaiting placement in a prison for imprisoned offenders whose sentences are nearly completed.
Who is Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins married to?
Sheriff Higgins is a licensed clergyman, has been married for 29 years, and has two children.
Higgins has known his wife, Caron, for much of his life. They lived across the street and had been childhood friends since she was 14 and he was 12. But they never dated—until she relocated to Dallas.
Caron returned home for a holiday, while Higgins was at his parents' place. The two started conversing and eventually formed a long-distance romance. She was Pentecostal, and he was Catholic, and they both knew they couldn't convert each other.
They married on March 9, 1991, with three officiants: a Catholic priest, a Pentecostal preacher, and her brother-in-law.
Over the years, the Higginses have attended many churches, including Fellowship Bible Church and, most recently, Lakeshore Drive Baptist Church, which performed its final service the day before our interview. They're looking for a new church home.
They've got two daughters. Janay is 24 years old and works for an audiovisual firm in Dallas. Jessica, 17, is a senior at Parkview Arts and Sciences Magnet School. Caron is the assistant registrar at Little Rock Central High School.
'Unlocked: A Jail Experiment' will become available on Netflix on Wednesday, April 10 at 2 am Central.