From Jail Cells to TikTok Fame: Prisoners Flaunt Their Way to Stardom
When you think of TikTok stars, images of influencers and dancers may come to mind. However, a new trend has emerged on the popular social media platform: prisoners flaunting their party lifestyle and drug use behind bars. With banned mobile phones in hand, these inmates have gained a following by sharing videos of their exploits inside prison walls.
The videos, which feature cons dancing, singing, cooking, and taking drugs, have garnered millions of views and thousands of followers. Some of the most popular videos show inmates cooking up their smuggled-in substances in the prison. In one clip, an inmate uses a kettle to cook a sardine curry, while other clips showcase inmates taking the drug spice.
But it's not just about the drugs and parties. According to The Daily Star, inmates are also showcasing their creativity by dubbing their jails "HMP Butlins" and creating vlogs about their daily lives behind bars. One jail vlogger is making £1,700 a month and has amassed 24,000 subscribers. It's clear that these prisoners have found a way to connect with audiences and build a fanbase through their illicit activities.
However, their newfound fame has not gone unnoticed by authorities. A spokesperson for the UK Prison Service stated that "We do not tolerate mobile phones in prison and those found with them face extra time behind bars." It's a clear violation of prison rules, and those caught with mobile phones could face serious consequences.
Despite the risks, however, the prisoners continue to post their content on TikTok. They may be behind bars, but they have found a way to connect with the outside world and gain a following. It raises questions about the power of social media and the impact it can have on our perception of those who break the law.
The trend of prisoners using social media to share their lives behind bars is not new. In fact, some prisoners have gained fame and even landed book deals by sharing their stories online. But TikTok does offer a new level of access and immediacy that was previously unavailable.
One inmate at HMP Birmingham shared a video of packages being thrown into the yard, highlighting the ease with which contraband can enter prisons. The majority of the content posted by prisoners on TikTok is focused on their party lifestyle and drug use.
It's easy to see why these videos are so popular. They offer a glimpse into the "behind the bars" world that satisfies people's desire for voyeurism and entertainment. The fact that the prisoners are able to smuggle in mobile phones and drugs shows a clear failure of the system, and the resulting videos only serve to glamorize a lifestyle that should not be celebrated. It is time to re-evaluate the current system and consider alternative approaches to criminal justice that focus on rehabilitation and prevention rather than punishment.
