Tattooing

[JHAQ]

Is self adornement by heavy tattoos an indicator of some sort of mental pathology ? In all those TV programs on Supermax prisons , almost all the inmates are covered with tattoos . Could there be a connection betweeen that & criminality ?

[Bluenoise]

Yeah putting someone in jail leaves them little much to do at all, but sit arround tattooing themselves...

 

Virtually everyone I know who has been in jail left with somesort of tattoo he aquired there. Likely it functions to give them the illusion that they have some sort of control of their lives and ownership of their bodies.

[Phi for All]

Some of those tattoos were *done* in prison where inmates might be looking to pass the time any way they can. I think it's also a way to compensate for lack of plumage and other male finery many species in the animal kingdom use to strut their stuff. Human males tend to take the opposite view of vivid colors in clothing and hair that distinguishes the males in other species, at least in modern times.

 

I don't think it is any different than other "possessions". I've heard people talking about their tats like any other commodity, how they anticipated getting their latest one and then how and where they want the next one to be. I'm personally not very big on permanent self-adornment but I don't think it shows a pathological tendency towards criminality either. It's feathers for those who think feathers are gay.

[YT2095]

I have tattoos as does my wife, she`s never been in jail!

 

it`s the same as having an earing or related adornment, it`s nothing at all to do with being a criminal, just personal choice

[JHAQ]

I think most of the tattoos were put on long before being imprisoned . I was not taliking about minor tattoos ( like DNR across my chest ) but limb to torso to limb tattoos .

[Skye]

I think it's a matter of rough guys being attracted to the rough image of full sleeves. It's a conscious decision, they know what it means, so I don't think it reveals an underlying psychology.

[gcol]

I have often wondered about the psychological motivation behind tattooing and self-mutilation in general, having never been attracted to either, personally. In respect of prison tattoos, what little reading I have done on the subject indicates the inmates desire to conform with fellow convict peer pressure, while rebelling against mainstream society. The tattoo in this narrow case performs both functions. Unfortunately, as a leopard cannot change his spots, so an ex-con cannot change his tattoed skin. Rather like the mark of Cain, it is with him forever.

 

I dont understand the present trend for more women to be tattooed, as traditionally it was associated with membership of the oldest profession. When I see a woman with tattooes, I always secretly wonder.....

[JesuBungle]

Yeah, I've never been in jail and I'm not exactly a tough guy. But I have a tattoo that I hide on my shoulder blade.

 

I don't know why some people take it to the extreme though, like, covering their entire body to the point where they look like some sort of reptile. Kinda creeps me out lol.

[mr d]

Hello

 

A lot of tats worn by prisoners were done in house as signs of gang affilliations. What gangs you are part of, what types of crimes you've committed, etc. So other prisoners (and when on the outside, law enforcement) can tell were you stand without ever speaking to you. Though of course all are not thus related.

 

During World War II many servicemen who surved in the Pacific Theater, came into the art of tattooing by Japanese, Chinese, and Pacific Islanders. And bought back the idea of tattooing with them upon their return to the Western Nations.

 

Tattooing was used in the West by tribes like the Celts and others in the distant past but had mainly died off by current times.

 

In most other cultures where tattooing is prevailant, a tattoo tends to be gained by a change in status or deed accomplished, or acceptance into a tribe or society. And others decide if you've earned the right to a tattoo. Unlike amoungst the present Western Nations were people treat tattoos as a personal statement or simple adornment.

 

So in some ways prisoners are using tattoos as they were used originally.

 

Mr D