The Needle is Mightier than the Sword: Markets instead of Prohibition for Prison Tattoos∗

Performing and receiving tattoos are typically forbidden in American prisons. What are the intentions of this prohibition? How well does the policy meet its intentions? How well does it promote the broader ends of prison institutions; to protect justice, provide efficient correctional services, rehabilitate criminals, and deter crime? I argue that repealing the prohibition of inmate tattooing would achieve outcomes more inline with the intentions of prison management than does the current prohibition policy. ∗The author would like to thank The Ludwig von Mises Institute and The Mercatus Center for financial support. Mark Thornton, members of The Back Row seminar, Ed Stringham, and two anonymous referees provided valuable comments. Any errors that remain are the author’s alone. †Comments and questions can be sent to [email protected].