Austin

Interview with David Ores, Fresh Start tattoo removal, 11/6/14

 

Our group, me, Zeb and Caleb, met with Dr. Ores to discuss what his job involved and what his normal day was like. We spoke with him about how tattoos are removed and what is very common. We learned that more than 1.4 million Americans are in gangs and the average age for gang members is less than 18. People can be imprisoned for non violent crimes which means that second or third time offenders can have a mandatory sentence of fifteen years or more for something as simple as jay walking. There are tons of organizations who try to get children out of jail earlier but when they get out it is very difficult for them adjust to society. The main reason why they cannot get jobs is because when people are in jail they may have to join gangs to survive, and many gangs force them to get tattoos. As Dr. Ores says, “taking tattoos off their face will help them get work, our theory is that if they have jobs they won’t go back to jail.” People who have tattoos on their face can’t get jobs because people are scared of them. When they cannot get jobs they don’t make money and to survive they have to steal or commit other crimes.

I think this interview can help move our group to the next level because Dr. Ores said he could help refer us to people who were in gangs, judges, parole officers, and anyone connected or affiliated with gang members. We believe that with the connections Dr. Ores is willing to give us we can really make a difference in our community. I am still wondering why the teardrop is so symbolic to gangs and what it means? I also want to know how children get out of gangs. I learned how difficult it was for children in poverty and I would like to help out in any way I can.