Displaying devotion in social media: Letter TikToks by the partners of incarcerated people

Abstract

This article examines TikTok videos created and shared by partners of incarcerated individuals, using hashtags including #prisonwifetiktok, #prisonwifelife, #prisonlove, #prisongirlfriends, and #prisonmail. The research explores how these partners depict their relationships with incarcerated people on TikTok and how prison communities use the platform to discuss shared challenges. A key focus is on videos showcasing letter exchanges between couples, which are longer, more frequent, and emotionally intense than other videos. These TikToks serve as a platform for sharing grievances and connecting with others in similar situations, making private emotions public to spark conversations about the hardships faced by incarcerated individuals and their loved ones. The study analyzes 74 “letter TikToks” from five accounts run by prison partners, focusing on videos that highlight communication challenges, the emotional struggles of maintaining a prison relationship, the sentimental rewards of #prisonlove, attempts to destigmatize both themselves and their partners, and efforts to leverage their image as devoted partners to build trust as influencers. The article argues that these TikToks act as alternative archives, reshaping communication between prison partners by remediating letters through a medium free from penitentiary control and incorporating supportive prison communities into the couples’ dialogue.