Buzz
While tattoos are now almost as common as ear piercings—rumors even suggest Whole Foods might start offering tattoo services—some designs remain exclusive to specific groups. Prison tattoos, often called black-and-grays, carry significant risks: the inking process is illegal, forcing inmates to craft their own tools and ink. Additionally, research indicates a link between tattoos and elevated hepatitis C rates in prison populations.
Forget delicate butterflies, tribal patterns, or mistranslated Chinese symbols. Discover the deeper significance behind these 11 prison tattoos.
1. TEAR DROP
The teardrop tattoo, widely recognized for its ties to crime and incarceration, can appear either hollow or solid. Various interpretations exist, but the most prevalent is that a hollow teardrop signifies the loss of a loved one, while a solid one indicates that the loss has been avenged. According to the FBI, "Sometimes, only the wearer truly understands the tattoo's meaning." Teardrops can also symbolize general grief, such as Amy Winehouse’s, which were rumored to honor her imprisoned ex-husband.
2. CLOCK WITH NO HANDS
This symbol represents "doing time" for inmates serving lengthy sentences. Variations include a handless watch or an hourglass design.
3. SPIDERWEB
A spiderweb tattoo on the elbow symbolizes entrapment and the slow, cobwebbed passage of time.
4. BORSTAL MARK
A distinctive blue facial dot, often referred to as the borstalspot, signifies time spent in a borstal, a British institution for young offenders established in 1902. These facilities provided education, meals, and strict discipline, akin to a blend of juvenile detention and military academy in the U.S. However, with borstals phased out by the early 1980s, individuals bearing this mark today are more likely to be adopting a tough persona rather than having actual experience in such a system.
5. ACAB
The ACAB tattoo can appear as four dots on the knuckles or the full acronym elsewhere. It represents the phrase All Coppers Are Bastards, though some interpret it as Always Carry a Bible, depending on the context.
6. EWMN
This acronym isn’t exclusive to prison culture. Frequently seen among biker gang members, the Evil Wicked Mean Nasty symbol often finds its way into the prison environment as well.
7. AB
If someone with an AB tattoo claims it stands for “Alice Baker,” be wary: it’s actually a code name for the Aryan Brotherhood. This white supremacist group is also known by aliases such as Alice, One-Two, Tip and Brand, and simply the Brand.
8. THREE DOTS
The three dots tattoo, often found under the eye or on the hand, can symbolize either the phrase mi vida loca, meaning “my crazy life,” or the sacred Catholic trinity among Latino communities. According to cultural anthropologist Margo DeMello, this tattoo may have origins in French criminal culture, where the three dots represented mort aux vaches, or “death to the cows,” with “cows” being slang for the police.
9. FIVE DOTS
The five-dot tattoo carries a distinct significance. Commonly linked to Russian prisoners, a quincunx design on the wrist symbolizes a prisoner (the central dot) encircled by four watchtowers (the outer dots). However, this tattoo isn’t exclusively tied to incarceration; for instance, Thomas Edison famously bore one on his forearm.
10. GRIN
Another tattoo favored by Russian convicts is the grin. This bold design, often depicting Russian and Soviet leaders in vulgar or mocking poses, serves as a blatant act of defiance. It reflects the prisoners’ disregard for authority, especially among those serving lengthy sentences.
11. KNIFE THROUGH THE NECK
A tattoo depicting a knife through the neck is a clear indicator of danger, especially in Russian prisons, where it signifies that the wearer has committed murder. The pride associated with such a mark is unmistakable.
