Shivangi Sinha
It is the amalgamation of different styles of characters that makes Netflix’s ‘Unlocked: A Jail Experiment’ so compelling to watch. The unease surrounding their clashes, power struggles, and coexistence creates constant suspense, leaving viewers to wonder what consequences will emerge from each interaction. That lingering apprehension is what gives the series its edge. In season two, this tension is heightened by Ronald Allen Stricklett, also known as Irish, a leader who stood up to bring everyone together while remaining a polarizing figure. His politics and projected image made him both divisive and influential behind the walls.
Ronald Allen Stricklett AKA Irish Was One of the Leaders Behind Bars
Ronald Allen Stricklett, also known as Irish, was someone who had cycled in and out of jail multiple times, which gave him firsthand experience of the many realities of life behind bars. He openly acknowledged that he had witnessed various systems, power structures, and survival tactics within jail walls, which made him eager to take full advantage of what the new program had to offer. Irish emerged as a recognized leader among the Caucasian inmates, who made up the majority, and he was often the one to speak up on their behalf. He took it upon himself to assign responsibilities, maintain order, and enforce the unspoken rules that governed daily life inside the Pinal County Jail in Arizona.
When new inmate Jacob Wayne Nusser arrived and became involved in a confrontation with members of another group, Irish stepped in to settle the situation and prevent further escalation. Beyond conflict resolution, he played a key role in maintaining stability, ensuring food trays were distributed fairly and minimizing disruptions within the unit. As the experiment introduced more privileges and incentives, Irish became increasingly invested in preserving the program. He was motivated to model good behavior and actively encouraged others to do the same. At times, he showed frustration when inmates violated the rules, but he also directly expressed to Sheriff Ross Teeple that maintaining structure and cooperation was essential to keeping the program alive.
Related
Ronald Allen Stricklett AKA Irish is Being Held in an Arizona Prison Today
The earliest traceable records of Irish date back to the 1990s in California, where he was implicated in several burglary offenses. He later relocated to Arizona and lived on Somerset Drive near Falcon Lane in Maricopa. In 2007, he was arrested on charges related to an illegal control enterprise and received a sentence of three and a half years in prison. His criminal record continued in 2012, when he was sentenced to a combined term of more than seven years after being convicted of first-degree burglary, a dangerous drug offense, and two counts of misconduct involving weapons stemming from separate incidents.
In November 2024, Irish was arrested again on charges including dangerous drug violations, unlawful possession of firearms, and an unusual citation for a dog running loose. While typically a minor infraction, the incident led officers to discover outstanding issues when they arrived at the home he shared with his then-girlfriend. Around this time, he was also described by the authorities as an alleged neo-Nazi and an alleged associate of the Aryan Brotherhood. He ultimately received a sentence of 2.5 years, though no additional charges related to any alleged organized extremist activity were filed. Now in his 60s, Irish is incarcerated at the Lewis Correctional Department in Buckeye, Arizona. He appears to be engaged to a woman named Candace, who reportedly visits him regularly. He has participated in several rehabilitative programs in chronological order.
Irish began a probationary clerk position in the prison library in September 2025. In October 2025, he attended a chaplain service, followed by an AA meeting in the same month. He attended another AA session in November 2025 and completed the C2CHG Responsible Thinking program also. In December 2025, he took part in Changing Offender Behavior with credentialed staff only. He participated in New Beginnings Through Peers, attended another AA meeting in January 2026, and again completed New Beginnings Through Peers also in the new year. His projected release date is November 18, 2026, under a TR to ADD designation, meaning his release is transitional and contingent upon continued compliance with addiction-related treatment and structured reentry requirements rather than an unconditional discharge.
