Here Are the Hidden Meanings Behind Prison Tattoos

Tattoos are a popular part of many cultures and have been around for centuries. Some people decide to get a tattoo in order to symbolize an important part of their lives, while others simply like how they look. One place where you will be sure to see tattoos of all shapes and sizes is prison. There is a specific tattoo for just about every crime or inmate situation out there. Below, we will be discussing 40 common prison tattoos and the meaning behind each of them.

The Dry Tears

The fake teardrop is definitely one of the most popular and common prison tattoos. It's also one of the easiest to identify, as most inmates have the tattoo on their face, just beneath the eye (so that it looks as though the person is actually crying).

Most of the time, the tears simply indicate that the person has done time in prison. However, in some cases, it can also mean that the person has attempted or succeeded in taking someone's life.

Hailing the Wrong Person

If you ever see the number '1488' tattooed on someone's body, be sure to avoid them at all costs. This number is not referring to a year but rather a reference to a slogan of an American white supremacist. The 14 portion refers to the awful 14-word phrase 'we must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.'

The '88' refers to the 8th letter of the alphabet or 'HH'. This is a link to a famed former German Leader and his well-known mantra. In other words, having this tattoo on their body symbolizes their disturbing racial beliefs. Yuck - we know we'll be avoiding this sort of person at all costs. Racism and supremacy are never okay.

Incarcerated Kings

The Incarcerated Kings tattoo is a widely popular gang tattoo, particularly amongst Latinos. This tattoo shows a five-point crown and lets other inmates know that the person is a part of 'The Latin Kings.

This tattoo is usually found on the neck or back and shows the person's loyalty to their group. You may also find the letters 'ALKN' alongside the crown - this stands for 'Almighty Latin Kings Nation.'

Opposite Realities

Some people love clowns, while others hate them. If you see a clown tattoo on a prisoner, it will either be depicted as happy or sad. As we're sure you can guess, the tattoo is not meant to be a funny one.

This tattoo is used to signify opposing situations - for example, 'laugh now, cry later' or 'play now, pay later'. In Brazil, however, the tattoo is used to show that the person has not just taken a person's life but a police officer's life in their lifetime.