Tattooing in prisons--not such a pretty picture

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Criminology

Background:

• Prison tattooing is a high-risk activity for blood-borne virus (BBV) transmission due to illicit practices and unsterile equipment.
• Correctional facilities have a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and other BBVs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of tattoo acquisition among prisoners, both inside and outside correctional facilities.
• To investigate the links between tattooing, injecting drug use, and the risk of HCV infection.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Victorian correctional facilities.
• Participants completed questionnaires on drug injection and tattooing behaviors.
• Blood samples were collected to test for HCV antibodies.

Main Results:

• 449 out of 642 prisoners reported ever being tattooed; 182 (41%) acquired tattoos in prison.
• Among those not professionally tattooed, 27% shared needles and 42% shared ink.
• Prisoners with a history of injecting drug use were more likely to be tattooed in prison (OR 3.0).
• HCV antibody-positive prisoners were more likely to have obtained tattoos in prison.

Conclusions:

• Tattooing in prison is prevalent and associated with high rates of shared, unsterile equipment, posing a significant risk for HCV acquisition.
• There is a need for trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of legal tattooing services within prisons.