A new study indicate that both men and women with permanent tattoos are at a significantly higher risk of arrest, conviction, and incarceration compared to those without tattoos, potentially due to stigmatization. This correlation persists even after adjusting for self-reported criminal behavior, levels of self-control, associations with delinquent peers, and key demographic variables. The study was published in Deviant Behavior.

Stigmatization is the process of labeling, stereotyping, and discriminating against individuals or groups based on certain characteristics, attributes, or conditions that are considered socially undesirable or different. Stigmatized attributes can be race, gender, sexual orientation, mental health, disabilities, and more. Stigmatization can result in social exclusion, bias, and inequitable treatment, often causing detrimental effects on the well-being and life chances of the stigmatized.

Studies have shown that stigma also impact reactions of the criminal justice system. Consequently, individuals with stigmatized characteristics are more likely to be processed through the criminal justice system, regardless of their actual innocence or guilt. Such individuals are also more likely to be found guilty and to have punishments imposed on them.

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PsyPost
November 6, 2023