Prison Tattoos
Have you seen any of the tattoos listed below?
May 13, 2024 04:20 PM
By C1 Staff
Our last list of prison tattoos only scratched the surface of what inmates can ink onto their skin. In this next collection, we have a variety of gang tattoos and some unique artwork that may be more for display than anything.
Know a different meaning for the tattoos you see below? Let us know to help keep your brother and sister officers safe.
1. 713
‘713' tattooed on this subject’s skull represents the Houston area code. THe number ’13' stands for ‘M,’ the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, for ‘Mexican Mafia.’
2. Angel of Death
Canada Border Services Agency -- Quebec Region
This tattoo depicts the “Angel of Death” or the “Grim Reaper.” It was found on a Sureno gang member.
3. Epaulette
This tattoo is one of the many intricate pieces of artwork that Russian inmates place on their skin. Military insignia and epaulette tattoos are used to signify criminal accomplishments or other parts of a prisoner’s history. Skulls generally designate murders.
Learn more about prison tattoos, their meanings and gangs
4. CRIP
The Crips are a primarily but not exclusively African-American gang, and one of the largest in California. This tattoo shows the word ‘CRIP’ tattooed largely across a gang member’s back.
5. 276
The number ‘276' represents the second, seventh and sixth letters of the alphabet, (B, G, F) the initials for the Black Guerrilla Family.
6. Birds on Horizon
The bearer of this tattoo enjoys freedom and is escape-minded. An image of birds flying over the horizon means “I was born free and should be free.”
7. Barbed Wire
Another typical Russian tattoo, barbed wire across the forehead means a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
8. Cats
A cat tattoo is representative of a thief. One cat means they worked alone; several means they were part of a gang. A cat tattoo can also be indicative of an inmate who does not like law enforcement, especially if worn on the chest.
9. Boot Sole
This tattoo depicts the image of a boot sole and tattooed knuckles spelling ‘SKIN.’ It represents neo-Nazi skinheads.
10. Aryan Brotherhood Knight
The letters A/B on the shield of the knight represent Aryan Brotherhood.
11. BGF Dragon
This Black Guerilla Family (BGF) tattoo displays a black dragon attacking a prison gun tower. BGF commonly use different versions of a dragon surrounding a prison tower and holding a correctional officer in its clutches.
12. Clown Face/Masks
Common among gang members, clown face or mask tattoos can have many different meanings. “Laugh now, cry later,” “play now, pay later,” and “my happy life, my sad life” are just a few. This style of tattoo is popular among Latin and Asian gang members.
13. Chinese Characters
These Chinese characters translate to ‘LATIN’ and ‘KING.’ The Latin Kings are also known as the Almighty Latin King Nation.
14. Black Hand of Death
This tattoo is of the ‘Black Hand of Death,’ a symbol known to be used by the Mexican Mafia.
15. Asian Gang Dragon
Tattooing in Asian cultures is seen as a defilement of the body -- however, someone who tattoos himself is not necessarily a gang member. Tattoos in Hong Kong tend to depict animals, like snakes, dragons, swallows and phoenixes.
Prison Tattoos
12 Russian prison tattoos and their meanings
These tattoos became intricate works of art that detailed not only an inmate’s crimes, but a good portion of their lives
May 06, 2024 09:18 AM
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This article, originally published October 24, 2014, has been updated.
