Prison Tattoos

A Look at the Dark World of Prison Tattoos

Prison tattoos are on the increase and thrive in the dark under world of rebellion and defiance of established authority.

Themes of brutality, racism, gang rank and involvement are all common representations in these tattoos. Prison tattoos have an affiliation with a tribalism outlook which may not be noted by some, and also symbolize complex scenarios.

The origins of tattooing in prisons date back to ancient Greece, where a criminal would be marked with a tattoo, so that in the outcome of his escape he could be recognized and impounded again. Earlier origins dating back to ancient Egypt in reference to prisoners having tattoos have also been found.

These tattoos are worn to display to other inmates and or prison guards, what gang, the criminal were part of, and there function or rank in that gang. Other representations symbolized can be the amount of time being spent incarcerated, the prisoners specialties, skills, and convictions. It can be quite surprising to find out just how much meaning such tattoos have but much of the time the meanings are coded. Nationality is a reason prison tattoos may vary, but there are some tattoos that carry a universal symbolism.

Mexican tattoos on prisoners have a distinction of there own, in relation to general tattoos of the incarcerated. The usage of Mexican tattoos has been going on a long time for the purpose of indicating the prisoners affiliation and connection to certain gangs, in or out of prison. They are a source of pride for many. The longer a person has been in prison usually the more tattoos they will have. A disturbing point about Mexican gang tattoos, is that, if a person is found wearing one that is not authorized to do so, the true gang members feel the right to forcibly remove the unauthorized tattoo. A person may have just joined the Mexican gang and immediately started wearing the tattoos, the tattoos are an indication of what past crimes the person has committed.

Russian jail tattoos are a complex subject as well, and many books have been written on that exact subject. These Russian jail tattoos date back to the days of the soviet union, the prison tattoos would symbolize the prisoners rank and position in an extremely regimented and harshly controlled criminal social system. For many the tattoos were a symbol of pride rather then shame nevertheless.

Most tattoos done in prison tattoos are obtained without to much problems resulting, and are done with tattoo guns and home-made needles or even guitar strings. But on occasion the situation can turn into a hazardous one, as the issue of health and safety is low, on the agenda due to the situation, and naturally the chance of blood borne viruses and disease are higher then in more traditional and professional circumstances.

By Michael K Dean