Never Post Posting from Inside
Dec 17, 2025
Dive into the remarkable story of Jeremy Busby, a journalist reporting from solitary confinement. He shares how contraband phones have empowered him to expose prison conditions during COVID-19. The impact of technology on prison life is explored, highlighting how tablets and social media can facilitate communication. Busby discusses the risks he faces for his reporting, including retaliation and isolation, while advocating for change for both inmates and staff. This conversation sheds light on the critical intersection of journalism and incarceration.
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Learning Social Media Behind Bars
- Jeremy first encountered social media in prison around 2011 using a cellmate's phone and taught himself platforms and video editing.
- He used those skills to go live and expose conditions, sparking outside attention during COVID-19.
Direct Publishing Forces Rapid Change
- Publishing from inside bypasses gatekeeping and can force quick institutional changes.
- Jeremy's San Francisco Bay View piece on heat led to coolers being supplied across blocks.
Crowdsource Reporting In Restricted Contexts
- Use social media to solicit corroborating information and sources when reporting from restricted environments.
- Jeremy recommends circulating drafts publicly to gather supporting documents and multilingual reach.