Published on 02/01/2021 at 08:00 by Stacey Williams

Tattoos: The meanings behind the most famous prison tattoos

1/ 13

Teardrop: this means the prisoner has already committed a murder.

Teardrop: this means the prisoner has already committed a murder.
2/ 13

An empty teardrop: this means the prisoner didn’t successfully murder someone. Once the deed is fully done, the person can fill in the tattoo.

An empty teardrop: this means the prisoner didn’t successfully murder someone. Once the deed is fully done, the person can fill in the tattoo.
3/ 13

A watch with no hands: this tattoo means the prisoner has received a life sentence, hence the time on the clock not mattering.

A watch with no hands: this tattoo means the prisoner has received a life sentence, hence the time on the clock not mattering.
4/ 13

Eyes on the stomach: this means the prisoner is homosexual.

Eyes on the stomach: this means the prisoner is homosexual.
5/ 13

Five dots: this tattoo represents the prisoner confined within the walls of the prison. One dot surrounded by 4 outer dots.

Five dots: this tattoo represents the prisoner confined within the walls of the prison. One dot surrounded by 4 outer dots.
6/ 13

3 leaf clover: while traditionally this symbol has Irish roots, the tattoo has been adopted by certain white supremacists to show their affiliation.

3 leaf clover: while traditionally this symbol has Irish roots, the tattoo has been adopted by certain white supremacists to show their affiliation.
7/ 13

Spider web on the elbow: like the five dots, this tattoo is once again representative of time spent in prison. The further the web is extended, the longer the stay in prison.

Spider web on the elbow: like the five dots, this tattoo is once again representative of time spent in prison. The further the web is extended, the longer the stay in prison.
8/ 13

A dagger that crosses through the neck: this tattoo is typically found in Russian gangs and is used to show the bearer is not afraid to take a life and is ready and able to do so for whoever needs – for a price of course.

A dagger that crosses through the neck: this tattoo is typically found in Russian gangs and is used to show the bearer is not afraid to take a life and is ready and able to do so for whoever needs – for a price of course.
9/ 13

Barbed wire: in prison, each barb represents a year of imprisonment.

Barbed wire: in prison, each barb represents a year of imprisonment.
10/ 13

Three dots by the eye: this tattoo means “mi vida loca” or “my crazy life”. The prisoner is most certainly affiliated with a gang.

Three dots by the eye: this tattoo means “mi vida loca” or “my crazy life”. The prisoner is most certainly affiliated with a gang.
11/ 13

EWMN: this tattoo means “Evil, Wicked, Mean, and Nasty”.

EWMN: this tattoo means “Evil, Wicked, Mean, and Nasty”.
12/ 13

A rose with thorns: this tattoo means the person was imprisoned at 18 years of age. It’s also common among Russian and Asian gangs.

A rose with thorns: this tattoo means the person was imprisoned at 18 years of age. It’s also common among Russian and Asian gangs.
13/ 13

ACAB: this tattoo means “All Cops Are Bastards”. This one has roots in the British prison system.

ACAB: this tattoo means “All Cops Are Bastards”. This one has roots in the British prison system.