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Title
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The Possible Impacts of Tattoo Removal Programs in Juvenile Correctional Facilities
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Creator
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Amanda McMasters
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Degree Name
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Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
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Project Type
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Professional Project
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Date
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6/15/2025
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Abstract
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The presence of anti-social tattoos, typically in reference to gang-affiliations, trafficking and criminal identities, can oftentimes hinder the rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated youth. Tattoo removal programs within juvenile correctional facilities offer an opportunity for juveniles to shed these labels and visible roadblocks to success. This study investigated the potential impacts of such programs, focusing on how removal of anti-social tattoos influences post-release outcomes, which includes self-perception and identity, recidivism rates and work opportunities. The findings from this research indicates that the presence of anti-social tattoos, especially in highly visible places like the face, neck or hands, negatively impact the juveniles who bare them socially and psychologically, through stigmatizations, stereotyping and discrimination. The findings also suggest that the removal of these anti-social tattoos is an extremely important piece of rehabilitation and reintegration, heavily influencing post-release outcomes. Due to the implications of this research, it is recommended that tattoo removal programs become an integral part of the juvenile justice system, implementing these programs in juvenile correctional facilities to assist in their efforts to rehabilitate their incarcerated youth.
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Keywords
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juvenile justice
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reintegration
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tattoo removal
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Committee Member
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Omar Melchor-Ayala
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Rights
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Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/20/2025, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
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Language
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eng
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Type
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Text
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Identifier
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AmandaMcMasters_PP_2025
