The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is seeking a professional tattoo artist to lead a new apprenticeship program for incarcerated people at SCI Frackville in Schuylkill County.
The instructor would provide 32 to 40 hours of instruction each week. The department said the program is intended to help participants develop employment skills while teaching sanitary practices that could reduce the health risks associated with illicit tattooing.
What the Tattoo Apprenticeship Would Teach
Instruction would cover art and design, tattoo equipment and techniques, sanitation, customer communication and tattoo studio operations.
Participants would begin with classroom instruction and practice on paper and synthetic skin. They could advance to supervised tattooing on human skin only after demonstrating the required skills and receiving approval from the Department of Corrections.
“We continually explore opportunities to provide incarcerated individuals with relevant, in-demand skills that can help them successfully transition back into their communities,” said Kelly Evans, the department’s executive deputy secretary for community corrections, reentry and parole field services.
Requirements for the SCI Frackville Instructor
Applicants must be actively practicing tattoo artists with at least three years of professional experience and experience supervising apprentices.
Applicants must also have a high school diploma or equivalent and current OSHA-compliant bloodborne pathogen certification. The selected instructor will be required to pass Department of Corrections security and background checks.
The contract has an initial two-year term with options for three additional one-year renewals.
How to Submit a Proposal
Proposals are due by 2 p.m. Monday, .
Qualified tattoo artists and businesses can review the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections request for proposals. Questions may be emailed to ra-docpurchasing@pa.gov.