A model for sustainable laser tattoo removal services for adult probationers

• Pages: 308-315
• Date: 05 December 2019
• Published date: 05 December 2019
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-09-2018-0047
• Author: Victoria D. Ojeda,Laura Romero,Arisa Ortiz
• Subject Matter: Health & social care

A model for sustainable laser tattoo

removal services for adult probationers

Victoria D. Ojeda, Laura Romero and Arisa Ortiz

Abstract

Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to describe a sustainable free laser tattoo removal clinic for

economically disadvantaged adult probationers.

Design/methodology/approach –This paper describes the partnerships, methods and challenges/

lessons learned from the implementation of a free monthly laser tattoo removal program for adult

probationers within a medical school setting in California.

Findings –Possible patients are identified via a collaboration with the county’s Probation Department.

Founded in 2016, this monthly program has provided tattoo removal services to W37 adult patient

probationers, many of whom receive follow-up treatments. Clients seek to remove about four blue/black ink

tattoos. Since its inception, 23 dermatology residents have volunteered in the program. Challenges to

patients’ongoing participation primarily pertain to scheduling issues; strategies for overcoming barriers to

participation are provided. No safety concerns have emerged.

Social implications –Programs such as this public-private partnership may benefit probationers by

eliminating financial barriers associated with tattoo removal. This model supports the training of cohorts of

dermatologistsseeking communityservice opportunitiesrelated to laser medicine.Others seekingto implement

a similar program may also consider expanding treatment days/times to facilitate access for working

probationers, providing enrollment options for other health and social services (e.g. public insurance, food

stamp programs) andhosting a mobile onsite clinic to address clients’physical and mental healthneeds.

Originality/value –This paper describes a unique collaboration betweenlaw enforcement and a medical school

and it may assist other jurisdictions in establishing free tattoo removal programs for the benefit of probationers.

The methods described overcome challenges regarding the implementation of this specialized clinical service.

Keywords Medical school, Recidivism, Laser tattoo removal, Probation department, Probationer,

Reentry process, Community reentry, Tattoo regret, Dermatology, Laser medicine, Reentrants,

Gang tattoos

Paper type Technical paper

Introduction

Tattoosare pervasive in the USA –a 2015 US poll found that29 percent of Americans have at least

one tattoo (The Harris Poll, 2016). Justice-involved individuals (e.g. incarcerated, probationers or

parolees) may have amateur tattoos or tattoos that may be perceived as anti-social or which

represent gang affiliations (Demello, 1993; Hellard et al., 2007; Komar and Lathrop, 2008).

Goffman suggests that physical markers or visual characteristics may produce a stigmatizing

response by others (Goffman, 2009), resulting in labeling, negative attributions, separation of that

person from others,and status loss and discrimination (Link and Phelan, 2001).Prior studies have

found that tattoos maycontribute to stigma, discrimination or police profiling (Pinedoet al.,2015;

Bekhor et al., 1995; Boyle, 2011). These conditions may affect individuals’re-entry process and

ability to successfully navigate social institutions (e.g. secure employment, establish relationships

with friends/family) following their release from jail or prison (Inderbitzin, 2009; Madfis and Arford,

2013; Liszewski et al., 2015; Varma and Lanigan, 1999).

Some individuals may become dissatisfied with their tattoos over time (e.g. changing identity,

terminated affiliation with group, mistake, pressure to remove tattoo, lifestyle transition)

(Russell, 2010; Madfis and Arford, 2013; McIlwee and Alster, 2018; Varma and Lanigan, 1999;

Received 20 September 2018

Revised 30 November 2018

8 January 2019

Accepted 10 January 2019

The authorsare grateful to the San

Diego IndigentLegal Defense Grant

Fund and the ProgramOfficer Victor

Pippins, JD,for their support in

establishingthe UCSD Clean Slate

Free Tattoo RemovalClinic. The

authors are alsograteful to the

UCSD DermatologyResidents and

Fellows and BrianJiang, MD for

participatingand contributing their

time and passionfor laser medicine

to help the San Diego Community.

The authorsare grateful to

Alexandra Robertsfor providing

meditationactivities to the patients.

Neither the fundernor the

aforementionedindividuals

determinedthe scope or content of

this paper. Theviews presented

here are solelythose of the authors.

Victoria D. Ojeda is based at the

Department of Medicine, UCSD

School of Medicine, San Diego,

California, USA.

Laura Romero and Arisa Ortiz

are both based at the

Department of Dermatology,

UCSD School of Medicine, San

Diego, California, USA.

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VOL. 15 NO. 4 2019, pp. 308-315, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1744-9200 DOI 10.1108/IJPH-09-2018-0047