The title of today’s episode is Creating Win/Win Where it Seems the Least Likely! I am super excited about this show because when win/win dynamics are created and power is expanded, especially in what are often considered hopeless circumstances or where the people involved are often judged unworthy, this gives hope to many people about what’s possible anywhere and everywhere!!
The unlikely place I am referring to in this episode is in our prison system where people often hold incarcerated felons as deserving of punishment and unrelenting negative judgment. To see win/win in a prison setting, clearly highlights what conditions and conversations are needed to bring about such win/win results.
That’s why as soon as I started my show When Everyone Wins in January of this year, I immediately invited my next guest on the show! I didn’t hear from him for months but then I did and I am still thrilled beyond belief to introduce him to you – My guest is Sheriff Eric. S. Higgins! He’s best known by many people for his innovative approaches to law enforcement, prison reform, and rehabilitation that have drawn national recognition, including as the visionary behind the Netflix docu-series called Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. In my work in applied Adlerian psychology, I know that positive outcomes are possible, including reduced recidivism (recidivism is when someone is re-incarcerated more than once) when when the right conditions are provided within many settings, including prisons. Today, that will be the topic of my show. To begin, let me share more about my guest Sheriff Higgins!
Sheriff Higgins is a licensed minister, a devoted husband of 33 years, a proud father of two daughters and has been in law enforcement for over 37 years. He started out in the Little Rock Police Department in 1984 and he rose through the ranks to become Assistant Chief of Police. In 2019, he made history as the first African American Sheriff of Pulaski County in 200 years, bringing forward his visionary leadership and a commitment to public safety and reform.
Sheriff Higgins is a graduate of Liberty University with a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Business and a Master’s in Executive Leadership and Counseling, He has also completed executive training programs with the Center for American and International Law and the Senior Management Institute for Police.
In addition to his involvement in the Netflix Documentary Unlocked: A Prison Experiment, Sheriff Higgins has led many other transformative initiatives, including the CSI Re-entry Program, the Junior Deputy Mentoring Program, AND community-centered projects like “Supper with the Sheriffs Office” to foster trust and dialogue. His leadership has set a precedent in Arkansas with policies like Body-Worn Cameras in detention facilities, the implementation of the Duty to Intervene, and No Choke Hold policies.
In 2024, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Arkansas Baptist College and was honored by Mosaic Templars Cultural Center as one of the Trailblazer 15 and by Dream.Org at the #WeTheDream Inaugural Gala. Wow!!! Sheriff Higgins has been celebrated for his commitment to criminal justice reform and community engagement. His dedication to advancing public safety, reforming our criminal justice system, and fostering strong community relationships have set a lasting legacy of positive change and impactful leadership.
Sheriff Higgins, thank you so much for everything you’ve been doing to show faith in people no matter what they’ve done and for inspiring all of us to see that encouraging and providing the right conditions makes it possible for everyone to become caring and collaborative. Thank you for saying yes to this show and welcome!!!
This interview took place on The Transformation Network show When Everyone Wins, July 14, 2025
