Tattoo Removal Serious Business for Former Gang Members

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Tattoo Removal Serious Business for Former Gang Members

We tend to consider the cosmetic implications of tattoos whenever considering a cover-up tattoo or laser tattoo removal. One aspect that is less common is the idea that a tattoo could be used to stereotype, categorize, or even in some cases bring death or injury to its wearer. In the case of gang tattoos, and former gang members, this is precisely the reason reformed gang members now need help having their gang tattoos removed professionally. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Former Gang Members Getting Help With Cost of Tattoo Removal

By David Mance
May 6th, 2011

Some former gang members trying to turn their lives around are finding it hard to escape the gang lifestyle because of their visible tattoos. Now, a new program aims to help them pay the price of the high cost of tattoo removal.

"They made me feel good, it made me feel that I had power, if I wanted something I could get it," says one former Sunnyside gang member about the tattoos on his hand and fingers. We've distorted the voice and are not showing you his face to protect his identity. We've also blurred out his tattoos, tattoos he once wore proudly, and committed crimes to earn.

"Robbing, stealing, you know, buying stuff you shouldn't have been buying," he says.

But now he's left the gang lifestyle behind in hopes for a better future, and he wants to get rid of his tattoos, so he'll have more job opportunities.

"Once they see this, you know, how can they know they can trust you?" he says.

He's turned to a group called Sunnyside's Promise, who's helping him realize the importance of tattoo removal.

"Some of them are insignias that are gang affiliated, even if they're not, they're still parts of their life that has an identifying aspect to it," says Sunnyside's Promise executive director Mark Baysinger.

The tattoos are removed at this clinic in Yakima. Depending on the tattoo, it can take six to eight laser treatments to remove at $135 a pop, a cost out of reach for many Sunnyside families.

"When you have kids that are coming from families that do not have the money, it's a very difficult task for them to be able to make that step," says Baysinger.

So far ten former gang members have had the slate wiped clean so to speak. This teenager knows he'll be better off without the tattoos.

"I'll be able to go farther than I already am," he says.

Sunnyside's Promise is using grant money to help about 90 former gang members transition out of the gang lifestyle through tattoo removal and other services.

Copyright David Mance at www.kvewtv.com
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Inflicting Ink is a Rhode Island Tattoo Studio that embodies quality, consistency and pride, and offers a sterile, safe, comfortable, artistic environment to its customers. Nominated multiple times for the Best Tattoo Parlor in Rhode Island and Best Tattoo Artist in RI.

You may contact them for an appointment for a tattoo at (401) 683-5680 and of course walk-ins are always welcome.

For more information, please visit our home page at www.inflictinginktattoo.com.

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Welcome to Inflicting Ink Tattoo. If you're looking for quality tattoo's from experienced artists in a clean, relaxed and professional environment then you have found the right place.

Our staff are professionally trained and come from diverse backgrounds, and they love to be challenged. At Inflicting Ink a tattoo is a special mark for each individual and is given its due respect. If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong studio.

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We also specialize in LASER TATTOO REMOVAL!

Jeff Goyette Bio

Jeff Goyette was born and raised in Massachusetts where tattooing was illegal, and to this day is only allowed on a per community basis, with each community deciding for themselves whether to allow it or not. Jeff still wanted to be a tattoo artist, and so learned his trade and took it on the road with the tattoo tour where he continued his tattoo education through coursework and tour experience.

In 1993 Jeff opened Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI as a way to get out of touring and establish some roots in the community. He has been in this location for 17 years. After a few years in the shop however, he wanted to use his traveling experience to be able to bring tattooing to people who might not have the chance to get to a brick-and-mortar shop.

So he built the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo truck, over 73 feet of truck housing a state of the art, sterile, mobile tattoo facility ~ there is nothing else like it on the planet, literally, as the Guiness Book of World Records has named it the largest tattoo facility in the world, but simply has no category to place it in.

The truck travels to fairs, events, concerts, and even does private parties, drawing large crowds and those who do not have access to a local tattoo studio for their body art. Jeff loves when he can give back to a community, and often simply brings the truck to draw in numbers at charity events whenever possible, whether any tattooing will be done or not.

He and his artists model their work on the belief that a customer should always feel that they have received a quality piece of art, that the work is consistent, and that they can be proud of their tattoo as well as where it came from.