Psychopathology and Tattooing among Prisoners

• Published in: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology Vol. 46; no. 5; pp. 522 - 531
• Main Authors: Manuel, Laura, Retzlaff, Paul D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SAGE Publications 01.10.2002; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antisocial Personality Disorder - diagnosis; Antisocial Personality Disorder - psychology; Behavior; Colorado; Criminal Psychology; Humans; Male; Men; Mental Disorders - diagnosis; Mental Disorders - psychology; Middle Aged; Personality; Personality Inventory - statistics & numerical data; Prisoners; Prisoners - psychology; Psychological aspects; Psychometrics; Psychopathology; Tattooing - psychology; Tattoos; USA; Colorado
• ISSN: 0306-624X; 1552-6933
• DOI: 10.1177/030662402236738

Tattooing has always been associated with criminals. Indeed, it is both an administrative and clinical problem in prisons. This article looks at the relationship between psychopathology and tattooing infractions within prison. Using a sample of 8,574 male inmates in the Colorado Department of Corrections, initial admission personality testing was compared to tattooing infractions within the next 2 years. Personality types more likely to engage in tattooing included Antisocial, Sadistic, Negativistic, and Borderline. Compulsive personality types engaged in relatively less tattooing. Clinical syndromes associated with more tattooing included Mania, Drug Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress disorder, and Thought Disorder.