Idaho inmates using TikTok for dating, pen pal relationships. Is this allowed?

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Meeting someone while incarcerated.

It's happening in Idaho prisons thanks to TikTok. CBS2 has found several videos of Idaho inmates on the popular social media app detailing their likes, dislikes, how long their serving time and more.

"I am 30 years old, currently incarcerated, I'm sending this video in hopes to find someone who wants to talk," one female inmate said.

But is this allowed? Are the prisoners breaking the rules? The Idaho Department of Correction told CBS2 that it does not endorse such communication.

"IDOC monitors communication to and from people who are incarcerated in the department’s facilities," said Jeff Ray, public information officer.

We have no authority over third parties who post electronic and video communication on behalf of our residents.

Ray told CBS2 that while pen pal-type relationships are well intended, people who chose to engage in them, including inmates, should be careful. Those requests for money, photos, and personal information might be warning signs that one party is seeking to exploit the other.

Of the nine videos, all have over 20 thousand views, and the inmate quoted above is getting close to one million views from her video. The inmates' charges include everything from drug trafficking, vehicular manslaughter, domestic assault, driving under the influence and robbery.

"I'm just looking for someone to giggle around with, to laugh, to conversate, companionship," another inmate said. "You don't have to worry about me asking for money, I have plenty of my own."

CBS2, which was able to verify the videos are those of actual inmates by looking up their identification numbers, has reached out to an email associated with the account but has yet to hear back. A video posted on Friday from the associated account says a statement is pending.

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