A Dutch inmate, Danny van den Hoogen, has gained significant online attention by openly vlogging his prison life from the Hasselt and Roermond correctional facilities, showcasing his cell, amenities, and even a pet parrot. While prison authorities deem such content "highly undesirable" due to the unauthorized possession of mobile phones, criminologist Esther van Ginneken suggests that preventing phones from entering prisons is nearly impossible, citing the fundamental human need for connection. Van den Hoogen, who previously served eight days in isolation for possessing a phone, claims he shared the videos only after his release and that the prison phones were often non-functional, hindering his contact with his children. The smuggling of phones is driven by the desire for unrestricted communication with the outside world, especially given the limited availability of official communication channels and the potential for boredom and loneliness within prisons.