Tattoos once served as armor for Alpha Jalloh, protecting him from the harmful circumstances of the world around him. Now, they serve as a painful reminder of the life he worked so hard to leave behind.
It all began in the South Bronx when Alpha was merely a teenager trying to navigate the difficulties his environment presented. The desire to succeed was always there, but it was simply a dream at that point. At just 16 years old, Alpha turned to the streets for security and comfort. This decision led to a life path filled with loss, destruction, and hopelessness – a point of no return for many.
Ultimately, Alpha’s lifestyle led him to serve an eight-year prison sentence for a string of bank robberies. He was extradited to MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, Connecticut, which physically removed him from his gang ties in New York, but also provided him with a sense of superiority among inmates in the new facility. While some would say this was the end of his life, it was actually the beginning of a fresh start that he urgently needed.
About three years into his prison sentence, Alpha received news that his father had passed away. Alpha had no relationship with his father but always hoped to have one someday. After his father’s death, he received the book Makes Me Wanna Holler by Nathan McCall – a memoir that closely mirrored Alpha’s own life story.
“It was like this spiritual moment… That was the inflection point for me, and the first day I took a step toward progress.”
Alpha began spending his days reading as much as possible, reigniting a passion he once had as a child. This renewed dedication to learning led him to apply for the Yale Prison Education Initiative, a program that allows inmates to pursue degrees through the University of New Haven.
Alpha ignored the gang politics and prison culture surrounding him to focus on college. Though the curriculum was challenging, he remained dedicated to making the most of the opportunity – and that is exactly what he did. In 2023, Alpha graduated from the program as the valedictorian of his class, finishing with a 4.0 GPA.
One year later, Alpha was released from MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution and began his new life in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, he works as an employment specialist for a nonprofit organization that helps formerly incarcerated and unhoused individuals find jobs and educational opportunities.
Despite serving his time, one piece of Alpha’s past continued to follow him – his face tattoos. These tattoos not only reminded him of darker days, but also prevented him from feeling like he had fully escaped that chapter of his life.
“It’s like looking at pictures of your younger self and being like, ‘What was I thinking there,’ but imagine doing that every single day when you look in the mirror.”
He wanted his tattoos removed more than anything – not just for himself, but for the world around him.
Understanding the stigmas associated with facial tattoos, Alpha covered them with makeup daily to maintain some sense of normalcy. It was exhausting for what was only a temporary solution, and he did not always have access to the specialized makeup he needed. These daily struggles eventually led Alpha to Removery’s INK-nitiative program, a community outreach initiative that provides free tattoo removal to formerly incarcerated individuals and gang members.
Removery anticipates that Alpha will need around 11 sessions to fully remove his tattoos, with several already completed by the end of 2024.
With the help of Removery, Alpha is looking forward to his future. He hopes to become a lawyer within the next decade and continue helping marginalized communities that share stories similar to his own.
Tattoos can be a painful reminder of a life left behind. Through our INK-nitiative program, we provide thousands of free removal treatments annually for individuals seeking to erase tattoos tied to traumatic experiences. If you believe you may be eligible, apply for INK-nitiative and take the first step toward reclaiming your body.
All INK-nitiative applicants must demonstrate a history of exemplifying our core values: trustworthy, passionate, focused, purposeful, and effective. Applicants must also provide a recommendation letter from an official advocate to qualify for the program. After the application process, we meet with each individual and determine qualifying candidates.
We’re on a mission to give you the most straightforward, easy and efficient laser tattoo removal experience. Your estimate will be entirely bespoke to your tattoo; the size, the colors, the ink. It won’t take long and afterwards you’ll have a plan to finally get rid of your unwanted tattoo and get back to being you.
866-465-0090
