PRISON INK
Tattoos, or ‘patik’ as the people from Cebu City would call them, have long been associated with a strong negative stigma in society. Yet behind this perception there are stories worth telling. I visited Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center and met with some of the inmates to learn more about their tattoos.
Isolated and behind bars, one of the only ways the prisoners can pass the days is to think. Inking their bodies using improvised tattoo equipment has long been something the inmates have turned to, as a more creative outlet from their often negative thoughts.
Inmates say that pain is the best way to get their thinking back to normal. For them, this art is more than just a visual image, it is an escape from bad thoughts, a sign of gratitude, and an expression of emotion.
An inmate who is a tattoo artist at the jail shows his homemade tattoo equipment, created from a toy vehicle’s engine, guitar strings and filled with ink from pens.
“BABAY SA DUGHAN” Joy is spending twelve years in prison for a double murder. The lady on his chest, or “Babay sa Dughan,” is the most special tattoo on his body. He told me that when he was sent to jail, his wife found another man and left him. This broke his heart and he decided to get a tattoo of this woman on his chest. Joy claims that this woman would never leave him despite the bad things he has done, and the situation he is in. He tells me that until the day he dies this woman will remain with him. When I ask him if the woman on his chest is someone real, he says that when he is released, he is going to find the woman on his chest.
“JAY SANTO TANAS” In jail for seven years for car theft, Audrey has had a flower tattooed on her stomach and an image of a demon tattooed on her hand. She told me that it was to mark the first time she had her heart broken — when her boyfriend, named Jay, cheated on her and left. The demon represents the way Audrey feels that Jay treated her and the flower is to illustrate the beauty of their relationship and her despair after what happened.
“AMIGOS” In jail for twelve years for murder, Winnie was able to spend time with people he now considers his ‘amigos’ or close friends and sponsors. To show his gratitude to them, Winnie got a tattoo of each of their names.
THE ROSE OF EVELITS” Juana is spending nine years in jail because of a drugs conviction. Juana’s most important tattoo incorporated the name of her cellmate, Evelits, who is one of the highest ranking members of a group within the jail. Inked onto her body, she told me that it represented her agreement with the rules and vision of the group and also her gratitude for how Evelits has looked after her inside the jail.
“KAMATAYAN” Serving thirteen years in jail for involvement in drugs, Jovic had the grim reaper or the ‘kamatayan’ inked on his left arm shortly after he arrived in jail. He explained that the pain he suffered while this tattoo was being inked helped him to forget the personal problems he was experiencing during that time. Jovic tells me that all of us have our time in this world and we will never know when the guy in his arm will come and take us.
“BATANG CEBU 45” Amongst all of the inmates I met, Ameliano had been in prison for the longest time — around 22 years. He was jailed for the massacre of a family, and he has his gang’s symbol as his special tattoo. In prison, Ameliano had been assigned head of peace keeping, and this tattoo shows his commitment to the gang’s vision of peace inside the jail. He told me that it gave him a sense of purpose, and the strength and security to endure his many years in prison.
“MAMA MARY” Sentenced for murder, Joseph has imprisoned for eleven years. He told me that the image of Mama Mary on his chest has helped him a great deal during those years and he still prays every single day with the holy rosary — asking for forgiveness, strength and guidance from her.
“PDIC GO” Nestor has been charged with murder and has already been imprisoned for twelve years. He chose this tattoo on his arm as his most important, and told me that it is a sign of gratitude and love for Pdic Go. Previously an inmate, Pdic Go became Nestor’s best friend and helped him through tough times during the early years of his life in prison.
“MARCO TORAL” Imprisoned for thirteen years because of involvement with drugs, Michael’s most important tattoo is of the jail consultant, Marco Toral. Michael tells me that the ink on his head is special because Marco turned things around not just for him, but also for many of the other inmates inside the jail. His tattoo shows that he is forever grateful for the privileges and programs offered because of Marco and how these have helped the inmates and their families. It is a permanent sign of the gratitude and acceptance of the rules laid down by Marco Toral.
“HEART OF THE DRAGON” Roland has been in jail for eleven years because of murder, and he chose the dragon on his arm as his special tattoo. He told me that when he is released he hopes that this tattoo will show anyone he meets that he has spent time in prison, and that it will demonstrate his toughness and strength to have been able to face the difficulties inside the jail.
“DANCE” Spending eight years in jail for a drugs conviction, Jofel chose to get a tattoo of an artistic portrait of a friend who was also previously an inmate at the same jail. He calls the portrait ‘dance.’ Jofel isn’t willing to name his friend, but he tells me that this friend has helped him with his needs and supplies inside the jail. He explains that this man is more than just a sponsor to him, and that he also saved Jofel’s life while he was in jail.
“JESUS CHRIST” Imprisoned for ten years because of rape, Arthur had an image of Jesus Christ tattooed on his back. He told me that it was only his faith in God that had helped him get through these tough times and that Jesus is the only person he can turn to and tell his problems.
“DRAGON” Charged with murder and in jail for ten years, Jose told me that he has been fascinated by dragons ever since he was a kid. The beauty, form and power of this creature has always compelled his attention, and now he has a dragon imprinted on his skin forever.
“ROSARY” Currently spending three years in prison for drugs, MJ chose the rosary on her arm as her most special tattoo. Besides the love she feels for Jesus, she explained to me that the rosary has been her way to talk about her problems and worries with God.
“NINONG” Mark James has been in prison for ten years because of drugs, and he had the names of his ‘ninong’ or godfathers inside the jail tattooed onto his back. Mark told me that the tattoos were his way of expressing how grateful he was for the supplies and protection that had been given to him by his ninongs inside the jail.
“BUWAK SA BASO” Samson is in jail because of a multiple murder and he has so far been there for fifteen years. He explained that the flower on his chest was his most special tattoo, and told me that ever since he was a young boy he has loved the fragile beauty of flowers, arranging and taking care of them.