Reader comments
Sheriff seeks help in tattoo removal

I'm glad someone is trying to help ex gang members out!my man was reciently put in the gang removal program and at 34 yrs. old i know that all his tattoos keep him from feeling like he belongs out side the prison walls.I feel that every time he has a relapse its because of his tattoos.People just assume that he wants to be a drug addict and a criminal.Why else would he get all the tattoos he has?and why else would he put FUCU across the back of his neck?
In all truth he tries every where he can to find a job,only to get turned away over the tattoos he has and the regection he feels from this only fuels him to slip.He is just a 34 yr. old man with his second child on the way who wants nothing more then to for once feel like a responsible person and do right by his 13yr. old son his new baby on the way and the woman who has helped him threw the changes and to refind his relationship with God.
thank you for what you are doing!!!

I admire you for standing by the man you love, through the good times and the bad. Tattoos are easy to get, hard to remove, and they give a false first impression of who a person is, especially when trying to get work, or when dealing with the police. I wish you good luck, both with your expected baby, and to your man and his efforts to get his life straightened out. I hope someone will give him a chance to do something good with his life. My husband spent 6 months in jail last year and is on 5 years probation for something he did not do, but couldn't prove he didn't, and he has appreciated me for sticking with him, supporting him, and helping him. Good luck to both of you, and your children.

The removal of agregious and pronounced tattoos, ones that limit the employability and socialization of former prisoners, should be done in the penal system before release. I've suggested a program of tattoo removal to the state of Ohio that would be cost effective and done prior to release, yet was rebuffed in a rather off hand manner. Suggesting an overall digust for inmates no matter their position in the penal system or release date. Often times new prisoners find it necessary to join prison groups in order to be protected in the prison system.
Joining these groups may entail tattooing oneself to show alligence and comaroderie with your chosen group. But, upon release that which once helped protect one is now a liability to success on the outside of jail walls. I've been in on over 5,000 tattoo removals and own the Q-switch lasers needed. My plan for a " In the Institution " tattoo removal service can be easily implimented with the support of those in-charge. I welcome any response or interest in this proposed service.