Tag: correctional

Although tattooing in prison is a worldwide phenomenon, perhaps nowhere was it more important than Russia, or to be more accurate, the Soviet Union.

In ancient Greece and Rome, tattoos were used to mark criminals. This was also done in 19th century Russia, against the will of the prisoners. However, over time they evolved to be an in-group marking, and one of honor at that.

The important of the tattooing peaked in the Soviet era, in the 1950s, where the consequences for having body art that was considered unearned were severe, up to and including death. Examples of meanings (from Wikipedia):

• Cross – The traditional “thieves’ cross” is usually tattooed on the chest. This was very common.
• Ships – With full sails it can indicate someone that has fled from custody, a gulnoy or gulat, or that a wearer is a nomadic thief who travels to steal.
• Dragons – Indicate a “shark” or someone who has stolen state or collectively owned property.^[

Although the heyday of Russian/Soviet prison tattooing and art is past, its influence lives on today and is a part of pop culture in the country.