Jailhouse is a style that grew out of tattoos made in prisons. It is defined by simple designs, black or dark blue ink, a thin and sometimes uneven line, and motifs with symbolic meaning: dots, crosses, lettering or teardrops.
Where does it come from?
Prisoners tattooed each other with improvised tools such as the kolka and with pigments made on the spot. Limited equipment forced simplicity. Many designs were also a way of communicating within the prison community. The Polish word dziara comes from the same background.
Jailhouse at a tattoo studio
Today the jailhouse look appeals to artists and clients who value its raw, minimal character. In a professional studio, such a tattoo is made with sterile supplies, and the prison look is a deliberate stylistic choice.
Some old symbols are still read literally, so talk to the artist about a motif's meaning before you choose it. We explain how to prepare for that conversation in Mistakes before getting a tattoo.