In correctional facilities in the state of Missouri, a unique initiative is being implemented that changes the perception of prison tattoo culture: inmates are offered official training in the art of tattooing. This project, the first of its kind in the USA, not only provides an opportunity to master a creative profession but also helps convicts regain their sense of self-worth, transforming a “criminal past” into a professional future.
History and Goals of the Program
The idea of creating legal tattoo studios in prisons emerged in 2022 when the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) decided to adopt the experience of similar programs in Canada. The main incentive was health: official studios minimize the risks of spreading dangerous diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C, which are often transmitted through unsanitary conditions of underground tattooing. By 2024, the studios were fully equipped, and in January 2026, the first group of students began their studies at the Algoa Correctional Center.
How the Training Works
Participant selection is a serious process. Candidates must demonstrate artistic abilities by passing a 45-minute drawing test. After enrollment, the learning process resembles the training of a professional artist in a regular studio:
- Studying the history of tattooing and the theory of styles.
- Creating a complete portfolio of works.
- Many hours of practice on artificial skin.
- Completing mandatory courses in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and bloodborne pathogen safety.
The instructor at Algoa is Deakin O’Connor, a man who himself spent ten years behind bars and knows firsthand about “prison” methods of applying designs. His task is to help students “unlearn” dangerous homemade tattoos and switch to professional standards.
Social Impact: Returning to Normal Life
For program participants like Eric Higgins, Harlan Shaver, and Chavez Aldridge, tattooing has become a means of self-expression not associated with crime. As Aldridge notes, participating in the program makes others see them not just as offenders, but as talented artists. This radically changes the psychological state of inmates: many admit that in the studio, they finally feel like “people,” not just a number on a list.
A successful rehabilitation example is Luke Scammell, a graduate of the program in St. Joseph. After his release, he easily found work in a Springfield tattoo parlor, presenting a portfolio compiled during his incarceration. Scammell emphasizes that the tattoo industry is a field where skills and the artist’s personality are valued above all, offering a unique chance for socialization.
Expert View on Culture
Tattoo historian Matt Lodder reminds us that the connection between tattoos and imprisonment has existed for thousands of years. From ancient China to Rome, branding was used as a means of stigmatization, yet the human desire to adorn their bodies is ineradicable even in the harshest conditions. Modern American states, such as Delaware and Minnesota, are also beginning to implement similar programs, recognizing their effectiveness as tools for disease prevention and job preparation after release.
Thus, a tattoo parlor in prison is more than just learning a craft. It is a bridge to the real world, where a former inmate gets a chance for a dignified life, professional growth, and the opportunity to be accepted by society through their art.