Unmasking the Pain of Incarceration: The Heartbreaking Reality of DIY Prison Tattoo Guns

Unmasking the Pain of Incarceration: The Heartbreaking Reality of DIY Prison Tattoo Guns

Have you ever wondered how inmates in prison get their tattoos?
Do you think it's easy for them to access professional equipment like needles and ink?
How do they deal with the risks of infection and scarring?

If you assumed that incarcerated individuals had no access to proper tattoo equipment, then you are not alone. However, the sad truth is that many prisoners often resort to using DIY tattoo guns made from everyday objects.

These DIY tattoo guns have been responsible for countless cases of infections and physical scarring, leaving some individuals with permanent reminders of their time behind bars. It's a painful story that needs to be told.

Inmates have reported using household items such as motors from radios, dental floss, and even pen parts to create their homemade tattoo machines. They are forced to reuse needles and ink, putting themselves at risk of bloodborne diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

The consequences of resorting to crude tattoo machines are devastating. In fact, In a study conducted by the Journal of Correctional Health Care, 30% of inmates had permanent scars due to prison tattoos, and 60% had tattoos created by non-professional tattooists treated in the US prisons.

The global tattoo industry is worth millions of dollars, and yet prisoners are left using lethal DIY tattoo guns. It begs the question; what can we do to change this reality?

Currently, some organizations offer free professional tattoo removals for people coming out of prison. But doesn't it makes more sense to solve the root of the issue by finding ways to provide safe tattoo experiences in prison?

Preventing the health risks associated with crafted prison tattoo guns should be a priority, but it should never stop there. By providing a safe and controlled environment, prison officials can also give inmates opportunities to learn marketable skills, such as tattoo artistry, which could help them create a new future for themselves after their release.

It's time to unmask the pain of incarceration and address this pressing problem. By investing in safe tattoo equipment or offering professional skill training, we can provide inmates with the dignity of feeling safe and human even behind bars.

Together, let us take a stand and provide inmates with the safe tattoo equipment they so desperately need. If you would like to learn more about what we can do about the conditions of inmates inside our prison systems, please read more articles in this advocacy series, Cases of Prisons Inhumanity to Man.

The world of Prison Tattoos

Prison tattoos are a well-known part of the prison culture, and anybody going through this system scarring their physical appearance is unavoidable. These tattoos mark different meanings; gang or organisation affiliation or protection, self-expression or a reminder of your crimes. As it is done behind bars, it becomes an art form, but the cost of producing these tattoos raise legitimate concerns deemed illegal. Choosing between going the DIY route using improvised tattoo guns to hire prison artists is also significant.

Behind the walls

Tattoo guns have been typically contrabands prohibition at the prisons, and yet it remains a prevalent practice. Tattoo guns are often confiscated, and inmates receive sanctions when caught providing portends bitterness towards authority.

/Getting It All Done Hermits-Style

The making of tattoo guns implemented by conventional loose wires incorporated with disposed devices and gadgets found around the confined area is an innovation sprouted out of necessity; basically, anything within reach that can be bolted hand handles and purposed as needles with ink nailed against the surface (a bed spring most times) becomes the last card modus operandi.

The inherent Risks Involved

Consequences range from impurities from instruments and needles commonly inflicted with contagious diseases due to insufficient sanitation methods, resulting in critical infections like Hepatitis C Virus and transferring similar diseases through unsterilised blood.

Human Effects Beyond The Bars

Tattooing is a risk-filled undertaking, and even expert practitioners could cause harm. Nevertheless, when combined with incarceration conditions such as stress-correlated corruption and laxity compounded with very little ink; with fast, grimy tattoo applications executed in exchange for the meagre meal, tattoo works are bound to litany horrible results.

The Take-home on Corporate-Hate and Trendiness

The indication whereby the prevalence of tattoos marking correlates with years housing jails portend many implications concerning blame-sharing regarding reasons behind incarceration, culpability of black culture in recent socio-economic issues plaguing modern America (Substance abuse, armed robbery practices, gun violence etc.).

Rising Above a Past Mistake In Today’s World

Removing oneself from unfortunate circumstances furthers psychological trait of hope, recovering from blemishing prison tattoo scars lines across society acceptance and inclusion. Laser Tattoo removal is considered one convenient procedure; it is found expensive by ex-felon seeking to detrone affiliations depicted by body art objects relating to the criminal life hence considered a financial set-back. While other fading procedures such as cosmetic camouflage can sometimes work.

Art with Accessories, Emblems and Meaning:

Drawing tattoos fill so vehemently sought possession surrounding misfitting-mystique linking paintings and visual symbolism which depicts reformed life fulfilment. Fortunately for those ending up a convict of business-oriented schemes, professionals like the plastic surgeon and father-daughter duo started employing laser removal tactics directed for employment-related consequences. Conversely, adopting creative value (other than related to jails) is used in expressing personal bias and leading image-building emblems at the individual and family.

The Relevance Today

This issue affecting custom behavioural change fostering marked difference amongst communities within inequitable poverty suffering troubling neighbourhoods experiencing systemic oppression, and over-filled cells beckon to find better ways to reinforce reeducation and adequately warrant human dignity

Thank you for taking the time to learn about the harsh reality of DIY prison tattoo guns. Incarceration takes an incredibly difficult toll on individuals, and it's important to recognize the physical and emotional pain that individuals endure while serving their sentences. Together we can strive towards a justice system that promotes rehabilitation and prevention rather than punishment.

Remember, if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or in need of support in relation to incarceration, it's important to seek help from mental health professionals or community resources. Do not hesitate to reach out and seek help if needed.