Jail personnel can enhance their safety and understanding of inmates by familiarizing themselves with inmate culture, and tattoos serve as a readily available visual indicator of an inmate’s affiliations and history. Sometimes, the ink on an inmate’s skin vividly tells tales of their past and present associations.
Knowing the meanings behind common Gang Tattoos can be a crucial tool for those working within correctional facilities. Have you encountered any of the tattoos detailed below? Here’s an insightful look into 15 tattoos and their meanings within the prison system. Do you know of other interpretations for these symbols?
1. 1488
This numerical tattoo is a clear identifier of white supremacist and Nazi affiliations among inmates. Variations using just “14” or “88” can sometimes cause confusion, but all are rooted in the same ideology.
The number 14 refers to the “Fourteen Words,” a notorious quote by white supremacist leader David Lane: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White Children.” The number 88 is code for “Heil Hitler,” as H is the 8th letter of the alphabet. These gang tattoos can appear anywhere on the body and are a stark warning sign.
2. The Cobweb
The cobweb tattoo is a common prison symbol representing a lengthy prison sentence. The imagery evokes the idea of being trapped, like a spider’s prey caught in its web, or an inmate trapped behind bars for a significant duration.
Typically, this gang tattoo is found on the elbow, the placement symbolizing the long periods of “sitting around” in prison, implying so much time spent idle that a spider could build a web on your elbow. It can also be found on the neck. Be cautious: a multicolored cobweb is unlikely to be a genuine prison tattoo, as colored ink is a rare commodity for inmate tattoo artists.
3. Teardrop
The teardrop tattoo is one of the most universally recognized prison tattoos, yet its meaning is geographically dependent and can vary. In some regions, it signifies a long prison term, while in others, it indicates the wearer has committed murder.
An outlined teardrop can symbolize an attempted murder. It may also represent the murder of a friend, with the wearer seeking revenge. Although popularized by rappers and celebrities, the teardrop tattoo remains deeply embedded in prison culture. In prison, sporting a teardrop tattoo without earning it can quickly lead to conflict, especially for new inmates.
4. Five-Point Crown
This crown tattoo is the emblem of the Latin Kings gang, one of the largest Hispanic gangs in the United States, originating from Chicago. Often, the crown is accompanied by the acronym ALKN, representing Almighty Latin Kings Nation.
The five points of the crown are significant because the Latin Kings are affiliated with the People Nation gang, which is symbolized by the number five. The Latin Kings have a strong presence both inside and outside of prison, with roots tracing back to the 1940s. Details within the crown tattoo, such as the colors of the jewels, can carry further hidden meanings within the gang’s hierarchy.
5. Three Dots
The three dots tattoo is a ubiquitous prison tattoo representing “mi vida loca,” Spanish for “my crazy life.” It is not tied to a specific gang but rather to the general gang lifestyle.
This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes. It can also have religious connotations, symbolizing the Holy Trinity in Christianity. Often, the three-dot tattoo is created using the rudimentary “stick-and-poke” method due to the limited resources available in prison.
6. Five Dots
Distinct from the three dots tattoo, the five dots tattoo, also known as the quincunx, symbolizes time served in prison. The four outer dots represent the four walls of a prison cell, with the central dot representing the inmate inside.
This gang tattoo is recognized internationally among inmates in both American and European prisons. It is most commonly located on the hand, between the thumb and forefinger. However, five dots appearing elsewhere on the body can carry different meanings, sometimes associating with the People Nation gang, similar to the five-point crown.
7. The Clock with No Hands
This tattoo, as the name suggests, represents “doing time,” specifically a long prison sentence. Inmates serving extended sentences might have this tattoo placed on their wrist, complete with watch straps, mimicking a real wristwatch.
The clock face itself can vary, resembling a wall clock or a grandfather clock. While not all clock tattoos are prison-related, those without hands are generally indicative of serving time. This is a clear example of gang tattoos used to communicate status within the prison system.
8. Aryan Brotherhood
The Aryan Brotherhood, a notorious prison gang, utilizes a range of tattoos for identification, from the simple initials ‘AB’ to overt Nazi symbols such as the swastika or SS lightning bolts. Despite comprising only about 1% of the inmate population, the Aryan Brotherhood is responsible for a disproportionate 20% of murders within U.S. prisons, making recognition of these gang tattoos critically important for safety.
These tattoos are also sometimes referred to by code names like “Alice Baker,” “the One-Two,” or “The Brand.” Any of these symbols should be treated with extreme caution due to the violent nature of this gang.
9. Norteño
Norteño tattoos are identifiers for the Nuestra Familia gang, a Hispanic gang associated with Northern California. Their tattoos include the word “Norteño,” “Nuestra Familia,” a sombrero, the letter “N,” or the number 14, representing the 14th letter of the alphabet, “N.”
The Norteños are rivals to the Sureños, Hispanic gangs from Southern California, with Delano, California, often considered the dividing line. Norteños are recognized by red bandanas and are primarily involved in smuggling and distributing cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. These gang tattoos signal affiliation and geographical loyalty.
10. La Eme
“La Eme,” or simply “M,” is the symbol of the Mexican Mafia, one of the most powerful and ruthless prison gangs in the United States. They are allied with the Aryan Brotherhood and share a common enemy in the Nuestra Familia.
La Eme originated not in Mexico but among incarcerated Mexican-Americans in U.S. prisons. Despite their name, La Eme is a Sureño gang, part of the larger affiliation of Hispanic gangs in Southern California. This gang tattoo signifies a powerful and dangerous prison affiliation.
11. MS 13
The MS 13 tattoo, sometimes seen as “MS” or “13,” identifies members of the Mara Salvatrucha gang from El Salvador. These gang tattoos can appear anywhere on the body but are frequently found in highly visible locations such as the face, hands, or neck, demonstrating the gang’s brazenness.
Mara Salvatrucha began in the Los Angeles area among El Salvadoran immigrants and has since spread throughout the U.S. and even into Canada. Their criminal activities range from drug trafficking to child prostitution, making this gang tattoo a sign of serious criminal involvement.
12. Playing Cards
Playing card tattoos, or specifically the suits from a deck, usually indicate an inmate who is a gambler. This applies to gambling both inside and outside of prison and can also represent a person who sees life in general as a gamble.
This tattoo is particularly popular in Russian prisons, where each suit carries specific meanings. A spade represents a thief; clubs symbolize criminals in general. Diamonds are reserved for informants and stool pigeons – if this suit is tattooed, it was likely forcibly applied. Hearts can imply someone is seeking a romantic partner in prison, which can also be a forced tattoo.
13. EWMN
The letters EWMN stand for “Evil, Wicked, Mean, Nasty.” This tattoo, not affiliated with any specific gang, simply represents the negative disposition of some inmates.
Typically found on the knuckles, this style of tattoo was popularized in 1955 by Robert Mitchum in the film “The Night of the Hunter.” His character, a sociopathic preacher, had “love” and “hate” tattooed on his knuckles, inspiring variants such as “Rock/Roll” and “Stay/Down.” While not strictly gang tattoos, they denote a hardened and potentially dangerous individual.
14. Cross on the Chest
Especially prevalent in Russian prisons, a cross tattooed on the chest symbolizes a “Prince of Thieves.” This is the highest rank a Russian convict can achieve and is generally worn by leaders within the criminal underworld.
Russian prisons are known for their elaborate and meaningful tattoo culture. Other examples include bells, symbolizing freedom, and a tiger on the chest, indicating aggression towards law enforcement. These chest tattoos often represent high status within the prison hierarchy.
15. A.C.A.B.
This acronym, common among British prisoners, stands for “All Cops Are Bastards.”
While some jokingly claim A.C.A.B. means “Always Carry A Bible,” this is widely seen as a regretful reinterpretation. Often found on the knuckles, this tattoo symbolizes a willingness to go to prison for one’s crew or gang. It is a clear anti-authority gang tattoo and a sign of loyalty to a criminal group.
Understanding gang tattoos is vital for anyone working in corrections or law enforcement. These visual cues can provide insights into an inmate’s affiliations, beliefs, and history, contributing to safer and more informed interactions within the correctional environment.
