Prison Tattoo

Prison Tattoo are commonly used by the prisoners to demonstrate allegiance to a particular group or gang. In addition, prison tattoos are intended to help the wearer display his or her specialties, skills, and convictions.

Each of the Prison tattoo are designs to symbolize specific meanings. In addition, many utilize certain codes that can actually be quite difficult to decipher and not easily recognized.

Three dots arranged as a triangle – This design is most commonly found between the prisoner’s forefinger and thumb. The design stands for “mi vida loca,” which means “my crazy life.”

Teardrop tattoo – This design is worn by the eye. It indicates the wearer has killed someone or that the person had a friend killed in prison.

Shamrock – This design is worn anywhere on the body and is often found on those belonging to the Aryan Brotherhood. In this case, the shamrock often also includes the number 12, with the 1 standing for “A” and the 2 standing for “B.”

Ace of spades – Worn anywhere on the body, this design is mostly worn by those belonging to either the Aco Town or Asian Boyz gang. The A, which is often placed in the middle of the spade, is meant to symbolize Asian while the spade symbolizes thievery.

The number 13 – This tattoo indicates membership with the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang.