

This can be gauged by the simple fact that currently about 60% population of the United States population wears at least 1 to 3 tattoos for functional, medical, cosmetic, or connotative purposes. These days, tattoos have transcended beyond their traditional aesthetic usage. Sporting them implies that a convict belongs to or identifies with a specific tribe. Tribal tattoos vary geographically, regionally, and racially. They usually make use of Aztec art, Apache totems, Inca symbols, or Mapuche patterns. Not only are these tattoos highly artistic, but they also contain great cultural and ritualistic expression.

The prison tattoo designs that carry tribal symbology have been an object of fascination for prisoners around the world.
