Tattoos in Prison: A Way to Identify and Build Loyalty

The five-point crown is a symbol often used by prison gangs, particularly the Latin Kings. It represents loyalty, allegiance, and protection. This tattoo is deeply rooted in Hispanic culture and is used as a marker of gang affiliation. The Latin Kings, known for their extreme violence, frequently display the five points of a crown to identify themselves as part of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation (ALKN). The crown’s details, such as the colors of jewels in its points, can hold hidden meanings. Overall, a five-point crown prison tattoo symbolizes the five pillars of Latin Kings gang philosophy – love, respect, sacrifice, honor, and obedience.

Three Dots: Unconventional Lifestyle and Gang Membership

Three dots have become a standard prison tattoo design, often found between an inmate’s thumb and forefinger. These dots represent gang membership and an unconventional lifestyle characterized by extreme behavior that breaks the rules. The three-dot symbols are often associated with the phrase “mi vida loca,” meaning “my crazy life.” Some individuals may also get these tattoos as a nod to Christianity, referring to the Holy Trinity doctrine. Gang members prefer these dot tattoos on their hands instead of their faces, allowing them to remain less conspicuous to the police while still being visible among their fellow gang members.

Eyes on the Stomach: Status and Respect

Prisoners frequently adorned themselves with tattoos that reflected their status within the criminal world. These tattoos often involved decoding images and symbols that signified their place in the hierarchy, often drawing inspiration from their ethnic backgrounds. One example of such a tattoo is two eyes on the stomach, which serves as a reminder of respect and admiration among inmates. tattoos represented respect between prisoners in different cells, creating a tagging system. Some prisoners displayed skull tattoos on their stomachs as a symbol of loyalty and fearlessness. These tattoos were associated with mafia-inspired gangs that followed strict codes of conduct and took pride in their fighting abilities. Additionally, some prisoners identified themselves as long-time residents of the prison system by wearing a tattoo of a cat wearing a hat with the letters “KOT” beneath it.

Symbols of Gangs: Meaningful tattoos

Various criminal gangs and mafia groups, both inside and outside prison walls, utilize tattoos as symbols with specific meanings for each individual wearing them. tattoos allow these criminals to express themselves freely through body art and enhance their group identity. These tattoos can boost morale among gang members and act as indicators of gang affiliation or potential violence for rival gangs. In the Philippines, some prisons offer tattoos to gang members to reduce violent clashes among them. While this program may not eradicate gang culture immediately, authorities believe it could help lessen the killings that occur within gangs.

Overall, tattoos play a significant role in prison culture, serving as a means of identification, communication, and group affiliation. They hold deep meaning for those who wear them, representing their allegiances, philosophies, and status within the criminal world.