Gang Tattoos.
The importance of gang tattoos in prisons can be gauged by the
trouble prisoners are willing to go to in order to get these permanently
etched onto their skin, for getting a tattoo in prison can be a long
and arduous process. Because of the health risks associated with
unsanitary tattooing (such as the spread of disease via shared
needles and far-from-sanitary inks), most prisons have banned
the practice and are vigilant in preventing inmates from getting
new tattoos while incarcerated. Nevertheless, prison tattooists
and their customers manage to find a way to flout these regulations.
(Source: Gang Tattoos: Signs of Belonging and the Transience of Signs by
Lina Goldberg)
fascinating set.
Posted by: Otto K. | November 20, 2008 at 08:07 AM
J'ai revu tous ces tatouages...Impressionnants !
Tu fais partie du gang ?
Sourire
Posted by: siratus | November 03, 2008 at 08:39 PM
really an artwork...
Posted by: mimi | October 28, 2008 at 02:35 AM
Those are very detailed tattoos.
Posted by: Rach (Heart of Rachel) | October 25, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Quelques peaux seront à vendre à titres posthumes ?
Posted by: Gérard Méry | October 24, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Interesting.. I seem to think that people make tattoos all over their bodies except the face ! Great shots.
Posted by: bw | October 23, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Everyone would go to a distance for something that will prove their worth or bravery.
Posted by: Kyels | October 23, 2008 at 08:32 AM
This is getting ever more impressive! Thanks for your story too!
Posted by: Wim van der Meij | October 22, 2008 at 11:53 PM
I agree, these are some intricate artwork here. While I might not do it to myself, I recognize the dedication that goes with having that many tattoes put it.
Posted by: Shoshana | October 22, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Great artwork, love the last one ;-)
Posted by: Ashish Sidapara | October 22, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Some excellent examples of art work there! I can see the last guy has been counting his days(years) behind bars - at least thats what it looks like. Nice set of images Sidney.
Posted by: Craig Wilson | October 22, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Hey Sidney, you're back! =) and I came here to find a rather interesting subject! Notice, why do tattoo images have to gory? And one can see the person doing tattoos has talent...
Posted by: G_mirage | October 22, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Thanks for answering yesterday's question :-)
I guessed this would be a health risk.
Most of the tattoos in this post are really complex.
But then these guys have time, of course.
Posted by: pieterbie | October 22, 2008 at 11:06 AM
do they pay for tattoos? do you know how much does it cost?
Posted by: dong ho | October 22, 2008 at 10:34 AM
the first photo's tattoo is rather intricate.
Posted by: eye_sky | October 22, 2008 at 10:19 AM
the first photo's tattoo is rather intricate.
Posted by: eye_sky | October 22, 2008 at 10:18 AM
I did read tales about how tattoos are done in prison and it's not pretty. Lots of risk and it's really homemade... even though some designs are great.
Posted by: Zhu | October 22, 2008 at 10:18 AM
I agree with fortuitous faery. Do put these in a book.
Posted by: kimmy | October 22, 2008 at 06:23 AM
They seem to be very dedicated to getting tattoos unmindful of the risks. Must be something that drives them to do so.
Posted by: AC | October 22, 2008 at 05:22 AM
you are going to publish these photos as a book, right? that would be great.
Posted by: fortuitous faery | October 22, 2008 at 05:01 AM
I love the first design, its very elaborate. I went this afternoon in Recto and by chance came across a tattoo shop. I found that these kind of tattoos are very expensive, a little design is already 5,000...
Posted by: dennis villegas | October 22, 2008 at 04:41 AM
Daar zitten wel enkele kunstwerkjes tussen, waarvan sommige zelfs niet mis zouden staan aan de muur.
Posted by: roy | October 22, 2008 at 04:16 AM