Plot Synopsis

LOVE DURING LOCKUP is a one-hour docuseries that chronicles the drama that unfolds when ordinary people first decide to pursue relationships with prison inmates, and an early dating period filled with a very specific set of unique challenges. Every non-con has a unique strategy for finding love behind bars -- whether they only seek drug offenders who are believed to be nonviolent, or a prison bae pushing a wrongful conviction. Other lonely civilians are simply on the hunt for their very own 'hot felon,' with the model mugshot to prove it. LOVE DURING LOCKUP is the third installment in WE tv's LOCKUP franchise, and features these four couples and two singletons:

Haley & Dalton (Highland Village, TX): Things have moved fast for Haley and Dalton, whose paths crossed prior to Dalton's prison sentence, but Haley is expecting the big proposal and a ring once Dalton gets out... whenever that might be. In the meantime, Haley has dipped into her car accident settlement money to pay for Dalton's legal fees-- a lot for the single mom who works six days a week cleaning homes. Even worse, Dalton has shown a jealous streak and doesn't like that Haley and her ex-Jarrett peacefully co-parent their 6-year-old son Hendrix. But is Dalton making a big deal of Haley's ex to deflect from his own ex-girlfriend issues?

Indie & Harry (Beltsville, MD): Indie was scrolling through TikTok one day and stumbled upon a video of an extremely attractive inmate, who she later dreamt about and ultimately pursued. However, Indie's mom is a bounty hunter who has started an investigation on Harry and will use the full power of her profession to prove Harry is nothing more than a criminal. When Indie takes the advice of a trusted psychic, whom she consults everything with, and packs up her daughters' life to move to Ohio, she might be left alone in a new city regretting everything as she awaits Harry's supposed release.

Santiba & Talsey (Portland, ME): Santiba is a recent divorcee who lost a hundred pounds and gained the man of her dreams -- inmate Talsey. She met Talsey through Writeaprisoner.com, and they hit it off. He's spent almost a decade behind bars, and upon his release Santiba plans to move from Maine to Georgia to be together, even though they've never met in person.

Gabrielle & Christopher (Orange, NJ): Gabrielle and Chris met through Gabrielle's cousin's incarcerated boyfriend, and after quickly falling for one another, Chris decided to shower Gabrielle with the finer things -- including a house, a BMW, and a $5000 engagement ring. Christopher's family is worried she may be using him for his money. Chris' family has plans to confront Gabrielle and her intentions. Meanwhile, Gabrielle's family also have doubts of their own, especially her mother, who calls Gabby a 'maneater' because of many failed engagements. Will this be any different?

Max (Washington, DC): Max is getting his masters in biochemistry at Georgetown University. You'd think with looks and the brains, Max could find a woman in the free world -- but he's been burned one too many times before. Max discovered WriteAPrisoner.com on a study break and loved that he could scan through for only the best-looking women. He's always dated models and influencers. How will his friends react to his new method of meeting women? Max also has a very popular account where he sells steamy content for a premium price, often alongside his roommate Alessa. Max is worried Alessa wants a relationship with him, and he thinks it might be time to cut her off before she gets the wrong idea.

Tai (Buffalo, NY): Tai's passion for forensics led her to a career as a mortician and it also led to dating inmates. Tai keeps a shoebox of papers containing an updated log of her multiple inmates, their cases, and details about their sentences and lives. Her ideal profile is anyone pictured in a white t-shirt and grey sweats with a minimum sentence of five to ten years. Her interest in inmates has led her to four failed relationships, but Tai hopes her current relationship with inmate Rio, aka "Hottie," will be the reason she keeps her love alive. But will a mystery call break Tai's heart?



Season 2 of LOVE DURING LOCKUP premiered on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 9pm ET/PT on WE tv. The romance-ready civilians and inmates include:

Chelsea & Mike (Richwood, OH): Battling a feeling of loneliness, Chelsea found herself checking out a Facebook inmate pen pal group, where she met Michael. Ever determined, Michael began to teach himself ASL to connect with Chelsea - a feat no man had ever attempted for Chelsea, who is deaf. Only having communicated in 30-second videograms and letters, she hopes a planned prison visit will give them the chance to meet face-to-face so they can finally sign in person. But will the surprising secret she learns about Michael during their first visit doom the relationship?

Emily & Dauri (Union, NJ): Falling in love with an inmate was the last thing Emily expected, especially amid pursuing a master's degree in criminal justice. However, after connecting with the charming Dauri, via a pen pal ad, it now seems like this powerhouse will let anything slide, even scams and cheating - but only if it comes with a big ring... that she's using his stimulus money to buy! Though they've been together for four years, Emily has never actually seen Dauri in person and their friends can't help but question her choices and if she's hiding something or doing some scamming of her own. Could the non-con be conning the inmate this time?

Melissa & Louie (Atlantic Highlands, NJ): "Jersey Girl" Melissa's quest for prince charming had come up short, until one day at work as a mail carrier, she came across inmate letters. This led her to an unexpected prison pen pal of her own... her old high school crush, Louie. Though these love birds have crossed paths in the past, they ran in separate circles and Melissa couldn't resist this opportunity to re-connect. Facing overall disapproval from her outspoken family, her father's refusal to walk her down the aisle, and feelings of loneliness that lead her to a prison wives group... Melissa remains madly in love and determined to move to Georgia to be finally be with bad boy Louie.

Jessica & Dustin (Jacksonville, FL): After a messy divorce, Jessica pursued a career in Corrections Nursing as a way to get over her ex and have a sense of control over men. Then, everything changed when she met inmate Dustin and she chose to sacrifice her career to follow her heart. Although she lost her job, Jessica gained the love of her life and is now ready to uproot her life and move to Tennessee to be with him after his release - but not without meeting his family first.

Mark (Las Vegas, Nevada): Mark is an ambitious man with two businesses and love of travel and adventure. Despite his busy schedule, Mark has set aside time to find "the one." After months of failed dating app connections, Mark came across an inmate pen pal group on Facebook and his natural curiosity led him down a rabbit hole. What started on a whim has turned into a quest for love and Mark is sure there are incredible women who are his type - "crazy girls" - waiting for him. Never one to put all his eggs in one basket, using multiple prison pen pal groups, this bachelor hopes of one day turning an emotional connection into a physical one.

Tai (Buffalo, NY): The ultimate serial inmate dater, Tai, is back! Despite her friends trying to get to the bottom of why such a catch always goes for troubled men, Tai continues pursuing jailbirds including her #1 inmate Hottie, who proposes even though Tai has met his girlfriend, Boston. Never a man's second choice and with options aplenty, Tai is also talking to inmate BB and new squeeze Dough Boy when her boss at the funeral home, Rinaldo, starts to have feelings for her and urges Tai to go for a safe choice like him. How will Tai juggle her engagement, several inmate boyfriends, and a free world man? Will one of her locked-up lovers find out about her secret relationship on the outside?



Season 3 of LOVE DURING LOCKUP debuted on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT on WE tv. The new season follows the journey of six non-cons as they go through the early stages of their romance with a prisoner. These couples face unique challenges from sending money, first video dates and visits, to the heartbreak and frustration of the prison system, but is it true love or just a con? The new civilians and inmates are:

Latisha & Keith (Davenport, IA): After getting out of a recent marriage, Latisha was ready to embrace the single life until love caught her by surprise. The hard-working mom of two took her employees and friends by shock when they found out about her new romantic partner - Keith. At first, Latisha was skeptical, and her intention was only to be Keith's pen-pal, but eventually Keith won her over. Will they withstand life's challenges?

Jade & Chris (Naples, FL): As a former flight attendant, Jade is always looking for new adventures. Jade hit the jackpot while browsing an inmate pen pal site when she stumbled upon Chris. Chris is Native American and tribe member of Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota. After 7 months of dating, the couple decided to get married. With Chris being a shareholder of his tribe's casino, Jade has been living a life of luxury full of surprise gifts. However, Jade's younger sister, Jessica, starts to question the relationship. Does Jade really love Chris or the money?

Raneka & Asonta (Smyrna, GA): Raneka is a high energy rapper and entrepreneur who made the big move to Atlanta, GA with her two kids to be closer to Asonta. Raneka took a huge gamble on love with Asonta between the big move and sending him $1,000 a month from her cosmetic business. Tension arises as Raneka's family feels Asonta isn't good enough for her as they believe he passes the time talking to other women. Raneka is hoping for big things including a sparkling rock and rap career in Atlanta, but will those dreams ultimately become a reality?

Britney & Kerok (Richmond, VA): Britney and her fiance Kerok met while serving time behind bars. Now Britney is out of prison after three years and awaiting Kerok's release. Kerok identifies as he/him and began his transition two years ago while incarcerated in a female facility, but the C.O.s mishandled his medications and schedules. While attending beauty school, Britney is living with Kerok's family and wants to start IVF treatment. The couple rebuilt their relationship after past infidelity, but will the bond stay strong? With friends and family as enlisted spies - what secrets will shake up the happy couple?

Savannah & Jake (Iowa City, IA): To prepare for a theater role, Savannah reached out to prison wives on Facebook and was connected to Jake. After exchanging messages, the connection was clear for the couple. Since meeting Jake, Savannah has been a huge advocate in prison reform. Jake has real concerns about Savannah's jealousy and neediness as he serves the remainder of his sentence. The separation is getting to the pair as they both battle trust issues. Will they trust each other enough to make it another five years?

Brittney & Andy (Rome, GA): After his second divorce, Andy struggled to adjust to modern dating. He decided to give it a try by writing female inmates on a pen pal website. As an ex-cop, Andy was worried about being judged, but those feelings quickly went away when he met his new love, Brittney. Both of the couples' families questioned their unlikely relationship between a con and cop. Andy's children don't approve of the relationship resulting in Andy choosing between his kids and his dream girl.
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The fourth season of LOVE DURING LOCKUP debuted on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT on WE tv. Season 4 follows six couples navigating the challenges of romance in the prison system. Each person has a unique strategy for finding love behind bars. Some are completely obsessed with finding the prisoner of their dreams and their daily lives revolve around this pursuit. For others, this may be their first time reaching out and embarking on such an unconventional relationship. These couples face unique challenges from sending money, first video dates and visits, to the heartbreak and frustration of the prison system, but is it true love or just a con? The couples include:

Tennie & Rob (Yukon, OK)

Tennie is a mom of two who must keep the house afloat while her husband, Rob, is in prison. Rob has been incarcerated for 16 years but has found a way to keep tabs on his wife and family from prison. Unlike most inmates, Rob has access to a phone which allows him to watch his family through cameras that are set up in the house. Although Tennie accepts the cameras, the tension builds when Rob becomes increasingly controlling and overbearing.

Ayonna & Jamahl (Lancaster, PA)

Mother by day and exotic dancer by night, Ayonna and her beau, Jamahl, have been friends for years, but Jamahl was always off limits because of his relationship with her best friend. However, once they broke up, Jamahl was fair game. After a brief fling, Jamahl got convicted and went to prison. Jamahl and Ayonna decide to continue their relationship while he serves out his sentence. Unbeknownst to Ayonna, Jamahl has been keeping a secret that his family let spill. Will that be the beginning of the end?

Andrew & Candice (Greenwich, NJ): Andrew is a hopeless romantic who gives his all in a relationship. When he met Candice through a prison pen pal site, he knew she was something special. Andrew will do whatever it takes to give Candice her happily-ever-after. He is paying for an apartment and bought her a truck he drove across country to pop the question upon her release. Will she take the plunge with Andrew?

Rick & Samantha (Gilbert, AZ): Rick was not seeking out his third wife, but the universe had a different plan when he and his high school girlfriend, Samantha, reconnected. However, Samantha is incarcerated. Rick proposed to Samantha during a prison visit and now the two are talking marriage.

Joey & Michael (Boise, ID): To the naked eye, Joey seems to have it all together: a good job, a home, and a handsome boyfriend, Michael. However, at 48 years old, Joey is still living with roommates, who happen to be his parents. And his boyfriend, although handsome, is currently behind bars for drugs.

Shonta & True (Kansas City, MO): Shonta is a woman who knows what she wants, and what she wants is her fiance, True. Although never having met in person, Shonta moved her family to another state to be with True and even said yes to his engagement proposal. Shonta has spent over $30,000 on True and taken on two mortgages to make this relationship work with a man she's never attempted to visit in two years of being together.