Buzz
While tattoos have become nearly as common as ear piercings—and it's rumored that Whole Foods might soon provide tattoo services—some designs remain reserved for a specific group. Prison tattoos, or black-and-grays, are risky for multiple reasons: The process is illegal, forcing inmates to craft their own tools and ink, and research has linked tattoos to increased rates of hepatitis C among prisoners.
No butterflies, tribal arm bands, or misinterpreted Chinese characters here. Discover the hidden meanings behind these 11 prison tattoos.
1. TEAR DROP
Arguably the most iconic tattoo linked to crime and incarceration, the teardrop can be either empty or filled. While many stories exist about its significance, the most prevalent belief is that an unfilled teardrop represents the loss of a loved one, while a filled one may signify that the death has been avenged. "Sometimes," the FBI observes, "only the wearer will know the exact meaning of the tattoo." In some cases, teardrops are a symbol of general mourning. For example, Amy Winehouse was said to have them for her imprisoned ex-husband.
2. CLOCK WITHOUT HANDS
This tattoo symbolizes 'doing time' for long-term inmates. Variations include a watch without hands or an hourglass.
3. SPIDERWEB
A spiderweb inked on the elbow represents the feeling of being trapped, along with the passage of time that may feel as intricate and endless as a web.
4. BORSTAL MARK
A blue dot on the face, known as the borstal mark or borstalspot, signifies time spent in a borstal, a British institution for delinquent boys established in 1902. Borstals were designed to provide education, meals, and structure—somewhat like a combination of American juvenile detention and military school. However, since borstals were phased out in the early 1980s, anyone sporting this mark today is more likely someone who never went to one but just wants to appear tough.
5. ACAB
The ACAB tattoo can appear as four dots on the knuckles or the letters themselves placed on the knuckles or elsewhere. The acronym stands for All Coppers Are Bastards, or, depending on the context, Always Carry a Bible.
6. EWMN
This acronym isn’t solely tied to prison. Commonly seen among biker gang members, it’s no surprise that the Evil Wicked Mean Nasty mark also makes its way behind bars.
7. AB
If someone with the AB tattoo tells you it stands for 'Alice Baker,' steer clear: This is just a cover name for the Aryan Brotherhood. The white supremacist group is also known by other nicknames such as Alice, One-Two, Tip, and Brand, or simply the Brand.
8. THREE DOTS
The three dots tattoo may appear under the eye or on the hand and carries different meanings. Among Latinos, it can represent the phrase mi vida loca (‘my crazy life’) or the Holy Catholic Trinity. According to cultural anthropologist Margo DeMello, the three dots might originate from a French criminal tattoo, where the three marks symbolized mort aux vaches, or 'death to the cows'—with ‘cows’ referring to the police.
9. FIVE DOTS
Five dots carry a unique meaning. Commonly linked with Russian prisoners, a quincunx tattoo on the wrist symbolizes a convict (the center dot) surrounded by four watchtowers (the surrounding four dots). However, not all quincunx tattoos are tied to prison life; Thomas Edison, for example, had one on his forearm.
10. GRIN
A popular tattoo among Russian prisoners is the grin. A blatant display of disrespect, these grins often feature Russian and Soviet leaders in crude or offensive positions, signaling that the inmates—often serving long sentences—couldn’t care less about authority's opinions.
11. KNIFE THROUGH THE NECK
If you think the person sporting a knife-through-the-neck tattoo looks menacing, you’re correct: In Russian prisons, this mark indicates that the wearer is a murderer—and seemingly takes pride in it.
