Prison Tattoos of the NCR’s correctional system
(TWs for mentions of war crimes, s*x trafficking)
Two Californian quails: usually placed on the feet or on either side of the collarbone, these can indicate someone has perjured themself before a court tribunal.
Tandi, Aradesh, and Ranger Seth: historically, this tattoo was worn by veterans. It increasingly became a mark of criminals as they realized that having it could help one avoid being summarily executed during the lawless early days of the Republic.
A boar or boars head: people who have killed, or claim to have killed, an NCR soldier don the boar tattoo as a sign of strength. After the bombs fell, the landscape of California was heavily infested by irradiated pigs, some wild and some formerly domesticated - a percentage which exceeded the bear population by a considerable amount, since boars have less body mass and a more versatile diet. This phenomenon popularized the idea that irradiated pigs were a predator of bears, though it is only partially true.
A blindfolded woman: indicating imprisonment that is considered unjust.
The decapitated head of a snake: a favorite of former tribesmen imprisoned for resisting NCR expansion, the snake’s head symbolizes the maintenance of a resistant spirit in spite of the ostensible acceptance of defeat.
A goat, sheep, or ox: tattooed on former soldiers imprisoned for misconduct, usually as scapegoats for higher-ups.
A bundle of railroad spikes: traditionally, this tattoo meant that one had converted to Christianity while in prison, invoking the transformative suffering of Jesus while he was nailed to the cross. However, with the spread of factions supported by industrialized slavery, this tattoo is increasingly worn by former slaves, who often end up imprisoned upon trying to reenter society.
Medieval executioners, or part of a suit of armor: a favorite of veterans of the NCR-Brotherhood conflict.
A fly: worn by prisoners often subjected to solitary confinement.
An energy weapon: veterans of the NCR war with the Enclave occasionally get these tattooed.
An angel or dove: indicates loss of a loved one while incarcerated.
An orange poppy: the marking of prostitutes from California.
A broken chain: indicates successful release or escape from prison.
A calla lily: a variant of the poppy, worn by those sexually exploited before or during their entrance into the prison system.
A charging or snorting bull: tattooed on former Legionnaires, often sold out by their Centurions to be trafficked into NCR prison labor.
A burnt out match: worn by former or current chem addicts.
