Removing Hate Symbol Tattoos: John’s INK-nitiative Story

Meet John, an INK-nitiative client who spent 12 years in the prison system for armed robbery. Because of his lengthy prison time, he ended up with hateful tattoos that he would’ve never gotten in the outside world – directly on his head.

He certainly isn’t shying away from his previous mistakes, but John is now focused on creating a better future. An integral part of this effort is removing the hate symbols tattooed on his head with Removery’s INK-nitiative program.

Survival in Prison

In prison, gang tattoos and white supremacist tattoos are incredibly common, along with violence across racial lines. “Everyone that’s in the prison system at that high level is pretty much designated to be in a gang,” John explains. Hateful tattoos are often an aspect of daily survival and utilized as a way to secure allies when violence erupts.

That is exactly how John ended up with hate symbols prominently tattooed on his head. “Those symbols – they don’t have a place in American society,” he says. “America, to me, is what it has been for my entire life. It’s a land full of different cultures, different ways of thinking, and different people. That’s one of our strengths.”

A Desire to Truly Move Forward

Since his release, John has been adjusting to the outside world again. His everyday environments are no longer violent or hostile – but his head tattoos constantly keep him there mentally.

While he wasn’t concerned about the attitude towards his tattoos in the prison yard, it is very different now. He is deeply worried about how others perceive him. “I feel like if people look at me, there’s no doubt in their mind that I’m a convict,” he says.

So, he decided to start his tattoo removal journey. “[This] is the last step to severing myself from that world.”

Starting the INK-nitiative Program

Thanks to Removery’s INK-nitiative program, John is able to remove his head tattoos for free, so he can truly focus on creating a more positive future without the daily reminders of prison.

Created in 2019, INK-nitiative is designed to help previously incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society and leave their difficult past behind, just like John. Tattoos on the hands, neck, face, and other visible areas are all eligible for complimentary tattoo removal through the program.

During his time with Removery, John emphasized just how many people are permanently bound to their prison lifestyle, solely because of their tattoos.

John hopes other formerly incarcerated individuals have the opportunity to remove their ink so they can look towards a better future. “[Tattoo removal] is a noble thing for someone to do,” he says.