Pennsylvania Sought Tattoo Artist for Prison Program

The state department is looking for a professional artist to lead an inmate apprenticeship at SCI Frackville.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of professional tattoo needles and synthetic practice skin, evoking professional vocational training in a sterile environment. — The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is seeking a professional tattoo artist to lead a vocational apprenticeship program for inmates at SCI Frackville. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections has launched a search for a professional tattoo artist to lead a new apprenticeship program at SCI Frackville. The initiative is designed to provide incarcerated participants with specialized vocational skills for their post-release career paths.

Why it matters

By providing professional training, the program aims to equip inmates with employable skills while ensuring that all tattooing activities within the facility adhere to strict sanitary and safety standards.

The contract requires applicants to have at least three years of professional experience and current OSHA-compliant bloodborne-pathogen certification. Bids for the position are due to the department by 2 p.m. on Oct. 5.

The players

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

This state agency is responsible for the oversight and administration of all state correctional institutions in Pennsylvania.

SCI Frackville

Located in Schuylkill County, this state correctional facility is the designated site for the new tattoo apprenticeship program.

The details

The apprenticeship involves a curriculum that begins with classroom theory and practice on paper and synthetic skin. Once participants demonstrate sufficient competency and receive official department approval, they may perform supervised work on human skin.

The deadline for all bid submissions is 2 p.m. Oct. 5.
The initial contract duration for the program is two years.

Legal Context

The apprenticeship follows the pattern set by the First Step Act's recidivism reduction programming provisions by prioritizing vocational skill-building. These programs reflect a broader shift toward providing inmates with specialized training to improve employment prospects after release.

The program introduces a regulated tattooing environment at SCI Frackville, which helps mitigate risks associated with unsanitary practices inside the facility. Local residents and stakeholders may see increased oversight as the state department implements this specialized vocational training.

The takeaway

This initiative represents a unique integration of vocational arts into the prison system to foster better reentry outcomes. By professionalizing the instruction, the state aims to maintain higher safety standards while preparing inmates for the labor market.