Tattoo removals being offered in Manitoba’s largest jail

It’s an effort almost a decade in the works, helping people in some of Manitoba’s largest provincial jails have a better shot at a second chance, with free removal of gang and prison tattoos, and for the woman erasing these now-unwanted symbols of street life, she says there’s immense demand for the life-changing service. 

Mother Ink’s Della Steinke estimates she’s removed more than 1,500 tattoos in her career, and says the now provincially-funded work in correctional institutions is badly needed, demand already outpacing annual estimates this month alone.

“It’s almost like they have left the gang, sometimes five 10-years before, now it’s just getting rid of that last reminder of their past,” said Steinke. 

She says there are countless success stories as a result of people having their tattoos, and past, erased and she hopes one day the service is offered automatically inside, as it’s a powerful transition tool.

“Right now, I’m actually carting my machine down two flights of stairs, taking it there and taking it back, Which is fine, I have no problem doing that, after eight years; I’ll do anything. But in the future, yes. I would like to see all of the different facilities have their own machine,” said Steinke. 

Mother Ink has already made two trips to Headingley and will start providing the service for women in coming weeks.

Years ago, Ryan Kemash was in and out of the correctional system. He tried to get his gang ink removed repeatedly while inside, but was unsuccessful. But upon his release, he says the removal of his tattoos, helped start a new chapter. 

“It’s opened a lot of doors,” said Kemash. 

Kemash, now thriving, says there’s no doubt tattoo removal inside would be highly desired, saying a removal of a gang tattoo has a profound effect beyond the procedure. 

“You’re removing it from yourself, but you’re also telling everyone: ‘I’m not going to be with that lifestyle, I’m going to do things in the right direction.’” 

Like Steinke, who also helps provide career and housing supports to inmates, Kemash says tattoo removal is only one part of the equation to support people as they begin anew. 

“Guys need to have options, as well as the women and the youth, need to have options to change their lifestyles. Not just getting out of gangs, but everything; addictions, mental health. They need to have those options, and if they don’t have them, they’re not going to do it – it’s too hard to do on their own,” said Kemash.

In a statement to CityNews, the province says “With support from both the Winnipeg Police Service and Mother Ink Tattoo Removal, the Manitoba government is supporting the operation of a tattoo removal program at Headingley Men’s Correctional Center (HCC) in its Winding River Therapeutic Community.

“This pilot project will assist with the successful reintegration of inmates back into the community. Following a review of the HCC pilot, the department will consider expanding the program to the Women’s Correctional Centre (WCC).”