Media: Guidelines and Resources

Inside-Out is an incredibly fragile program. Bad publicity about the program in one locale can jeopardize Inside-Out activities in other parts of the world. Therefore, please keep the following things in mind when using social media and working with journalists and media outlets.   

Guidelines for Dealing with Media Outlets

Please make every effort to ensure that articles referring to Inside-Out specifically mention that The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program is an international program founded and housed at Temple University.

Language and Labeling: When working with media outlets, encourage them to refrain from using language that is dehumanizing. Instead of using the terms "inmates" or "prisoners," challenge them to refer to "incarcerated individuals" or "students on both sides of prison walls."

Also, please keep in mind the core values of the program. Inside-Out brings incarcerated and non-incarcerated students together as peers. There is a tendency of some media outlets to portray Inside-Out as a program that "helps" those on the inside. For more guidance, read the statement on our website: "What Inside-Out Is Not." 

In all online versions of articles, make sure that there is a hyperlink to http://www.insideoutcenter.org/ 

Lastly, any articles being considered for a international audience MUST be done in collaboration with The Inside-Out Center. Please contact Lori Pompa for any national media requests. 

Social Media

Connect with Inside-Out via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. There is also a YouTube page which includes videos produced by The Inside-Out Center and a playlist featuring videos from around the world. There is also a Facebook group that is open to students, alumni, instructors, and other community stakeholders. 

Rules and Ethics Regarding Photos and Images

Different correctional institutions have varying rules regarding the taking and sharing of photos. Some facilities do not permit the public use of photos that include faces, tattoos, or anything that could potentially reveal the identity of the incarcerated individual(s). Other facilities will permit facial photos as long as each person signs a photo release form. Even where rules are more permissive, Inside-Out instructors should use discretion and respect the wishes of inside students. 

Inside-Out's Public Website

While the information in this space is for our trained instructors and community leaders, the Inside-Out Center website is for the general public. Help keep the public website up to date by making sure that the Higher Education page, the Corrections page, and the Think Tank page all have correct information. Please send updates to lori.pompa@temple.edu. 

Listserv

The listserv has been a place for instructors who have completed The Inside-Out training to share resources, discuss problems/challenges, and receive updates from The Inside-Out Center. The goal is now to move most discussions and resource-sharing to The Inside-Out Resource Community. The listserv is still a valuable way to keep up with Inside-Out news. Please email Eilene Frierson (eilene.frierson@temple.edu) if you need to update your listserv email address.