'Nobody I Work With Looks Like Me' Carmen | Heavily Inked

Everybody knows tattoos are incredibly common in prison, but most people are only thinking about the inmates when they make that assumption. Carmen works for the New York State Department of Corrections and is covered head to toe in ink. After getting his first tattoo as a celebration for making it through boot camp, the former Marine was hooked. Carmen shares his unique story with us for this episode of Heavily Inked.
Welcome to Heavily Inked. In our newest series, we're going to speak one-on-one with tattoo collectors and artists about what it means to be a heavily inked person. We'll get deep as we go through the motivations behind their tattoo choices, the way they've been treated in society and much more.
Carmen / inked_carmen
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[@goodmorningfire]

My mom always said I wouldn't get a good job if I got tattooed. Now I'm a vet tech, with sleeves, legs done and still going. It's so nice to see other people doing the same and challenging stigmas.

[@AnimalLoving-24]

Haha yeah I was told that as a kid but in UK tons of people in pretty much every job has tattooes

[@aphrog649]

this is actually really reassuring! i want tattoos, but most of the places i want them are super noticeable, so i’ve been too nervous to get them because of job opportunities

[@ILoveFMilfs]

My mom said the same thing but i said mom thats was other times now in 2022 the tatto is art not in the 90’s or 2000’s when only criminals have tattos and you can’t get a good job!! But now lawyers have tattos

[@cal_trip]

Fellow tattooed vet tech here! I've always said I'll never let where I work dictate how I look and I've held myself to that 😊 colored hair, piercings, tattoos and all

[@rossmurrayfam1568]

I have sleeves tats on my legs I work in customer service they all say I'm very kind and like my tattoos

[@as.taqwa.]

I love how when asked "....with the inmates" he responded ".... with the incarcerated people I work with." too often those within the prison system are dehumanized and not seen as actual human beings. And the COs are seen as overseers. I loved how he also described his job as collaborative, rather than as a top-down.

[@eastpaloaltosfinest]

I think he was actually talking about his coworkers and not the inmates

[@MIstastacks24]

@@eastpaloaltosfinest no he wasn't

[@anarchist_parable]

I love how non-inked people always want to transfer their commitment issues onto us. Just because YOU don't know yourself doesn't mean I don't. I know what type of art I like and regret nothing 🥰

[@iambetterthanyouseriously9811]

Also like who cares its not that serious nothing is permanent we are all gonna die soon

[@jonyoungmusic]

@@iambetterthanyouseriously9811 I’m 38 and just started getting tattoos and this exactly what my mindset changed to. Tattoos are not permanent because we aren’t. Life is just too damn short to have regrets. And tattoos don’t hurt anyone but the one getting them lol.

[@BeeKay4444]

Our bodies are just the vessels to carry our souls……some of us just decorate our vessels better than others. This fella seems pretty dope to me. Dig his ink.

[@Kat-bu3bn]

@ Kay exactly!!! I’ve always said I was just decorating my body. I put on jewelry, why not ink? Have an amazing day!

[@craigmills3583]

This guy has a very nice way about him. I like his tats too. Good on you for being true to yourself mate.

[@Luvandrockettes]

he is so cute and warm i just want to hug him 🥺

[@whitedarkness11756]

One thing that keeps coming up with my family is "you know those are permanent right?" Like, I mean yes but also no. They are only as permanent as my physical body. Someday I'll die and this body will decompose and my tattoos will go with it. Why not enjoy my time and get some sick art that I can look at whenever I want? Meh, I don't know. I don't have very many, but I do currently have three different sessions booked for this year, two different tattoos. I'm excited. Finally getting some that are visible that I can show off.

[@pauljakeman]

What did you get?

[@whitedarkness11756]

@@pauljakeman I got an Octopus friend on my forearm, a grim reaper with a tombstone and flowers on my ass (it says "Bad times don't last, nothing does" around it), and a ring of mushrooms around my arms and back. Basically turned myself into a fairy ring of love because the ring completes when I give people hugs. It's kind of my favorite thing ever and I get a lot of compliments on it everyday. In fact several people screamed out at me on my drive home from work the other day because I had my arm leaning out my window and my shrooms were on full display.

[@pauljakeman]

@@whitedarkness11756 they all sound pretty great and I can see why people will compliment them. Would love to see them! I only have a couple so far but do have ideas for more. We’re they the three sessions you mentioned on your first comment?

[@whitedarkness11756]

@@pauljakeman they were. We thought the ring was gonna take longer so I used the second booking for the third tattoo :D

[@pauljakeman]

@@whitedarkness11756 nice one! I bet you have plans for more now too?

[@croc009]

They ask questions also because you come across as approachable and open. A nice guy!

[@sw8547]

These are the interviews that I love to see 🙌🏼

[@ryanfluty5067]

Your ink is great brother. I have an almost identical body suit, just different material. Your thought process is just like mine. I have some years on you, but I still think exactly the same as I did 20 years ago. I couldn't picture myself without them. I got my whole head done when I started losing my hair too. Also from upstate NY. I wouldn't remove them for anything. And when we're 80+ years old who gives a fuck, I'm sure tattoos will be the least of our worries. I always find that to be a stupid question also. Love the gorilla piece.

[@Tkenny35]

Definitely times are changing for the better for tattoos. I think with access to social media and whatnot its become way more accepted compared to before. I have both my arms and my whole chest and im about to get my hands in 2 weeks. When I got my sleeves I had no problems and no one ever, ever looked at me weird or judged me. I believe sleeves are very normal now and in the next 10-15 years hands will be the same. idk why im nervous about my hands. I tihnk its because Its in a place you cannot hide and hands are still a bit "extreme". Luckily, im self employed but I really do get annoyed and hate the family judgement and what not. My question to you is how did you justify getting your head/ neck done in terms of work life and overall societal judgement?

[@ryanfluty5067]

For work I always knew I wasnt going to be in a suit and tie in an office. But it will absolutely affect your work life in the wrong environment. As far as society I find I get the same treatment ad the guy in the video. My heavy tattoo look has made me more new friends than the other way around. Once people get up the courage to come talk to me and ask their questions, they realize you cant always judge a book by its cover. You also have to be ok with the fact that when your heavily tattooed people are gonna stare. You can't be angry or feel people are invading your privacy if you go out of your way to stand out. Good luck with your hands. I think you'll be ok, as long as your happy with what you get, that's all that matters. As you said, tattooed hands are becoming very common in the regular world. Ultimately, it's your body and life is short, enjoy it while we're here. 👍

[@silk132]

and they’ll be wayyy normalized by then, we don’t see too many old people with tattoos now,, but we def will later bc of the amount of tatted people

[@paulac8116]

I've always loved tattoos since I was a little girl. People need to stop judging others by the way they look. I'm 56 and have 4 tatoos, my largest tattoo starts on the top of my foot and goes to the ankle and almost up to my knee. I love the way they look and I don't regret getting them. I plan on getting a few more. The tattoos on me have a special meaning to me and I really don't care what people think about them. You look great and you're going to look great when you're older too!

[@davidphuket3407]

I have never commented on a video on this channel. This was the most real/ honest and entertaining interview I have ever watched on "inked". Bravo!

[@ky13dods]

I kinda feel bad for him, it seems like lots of people in his life don’t like his tattoos. Doesn’t seem like he has a great support group

[@taylorrosepole]

same - screw them, we’ll be his friends

[@ky13dods]

@@taylorrosepole 🙏🏻

[@justonejlking]

It’s not the tattoos it’s that he likes to show off his bad decisions

[@ky13dods]

@@justonejlking if he love them and feels better with them then who are we to judge ?

[@justonejlking]

@@ky13dods because that’s literally what everyone does is judge people on what they do and how they look that’s just life

[@ejoshfish9470]

I cannot say enough good about this video! As a Marine Corps Vet, I very much want to hang out with this Dude one day!

[@alleahsasseville]

Love his advice.... I've waited YEARS to find the right artist for a piece but I know it can be frustrating not finding someone in your area. Please don't settle and keep searching for that perfect match!! 👌

[@alancrane3100]

You look cool brother, I’m heavily tattooed and I had desk jobs most of my adult career. Never had a problem with people judging me. You gave perfect advice for looking for a good artist. Live life on your terms

[@tevisfredericks3822]

I can never get tired of sick of getting tattooed and tattooing myself. So therapeutic, puts me in a zen. Yes it hurts but that's the cost of tattooing myself or getting tattooed.

[@zanestarot]

Everybody always gets scared that they're gonna regret their tattoos but I don't regret any of my ink.

[@lp.shakur]

dude sounds like he talks himself into liking it 🤣

[@matthewhicks8140]

It's hilarious when people say you'll never get a good job with lots of tattoos. I have two full sleeves and I'm in my final year of residency as a doctor.

[@pauljakeman]

Hope the last year went well!

[@christina9238]

sleeves can be covered? hands not so much.

[@milkitysplit]

@@christina9238 I think her point is that she doesn't need to cover them. I've met a opthamologist with tattooed eyeballs lol

[@christina9238]

love to hear it@@milkitysplit

[@courtneylemasters1117]

His work is very well done. I can relate to where he's coming from. I'm a hca (caregiver) for elderly. I was told my face tattoos wouldn't impact my job but be prepared to get question a lot. I actually don't get questions as much as you would think. If you're great at your job and have a good personality it's like they don't even notice your tattoos.

[@UrPalAce]

Carmen seems like a very chill and nice dude! I also want his sweatshirt!!!

[@hollownaruto2340]

I just got a half sleeve on my leg and I notice how different things are now and that's nothing compared to you. I can't imagine the amount of people constantly stopping you everywhere you go to ask stupid questions.

[@BigGayIncorporated]

yeah that's what I'm not looking forward to, when I start getting more and more ink lol I'm not a talker when I'm out and about

[@TeethOfDead]

I mean appreciate the fact that they’re admiring you instead of afraid or prejudice. If you only want them for yourself then hide em. I wear long sleeves and shit but at times when I let em show. I smile and deflect the question like “I don’t know you well enough to tell you the meaning but it’s up to your interpretation.” Shit I paid for quality art so I’m glad they can appreciate it along with me. Enjoy the vibes boys. And I’m excited for your new pieces foo. I know the feeling

[@hollownaruto2340]

@@TeethOfDead I just meant that I was not prepared for people to go out of their way to draw attention to me in public. Now that I know what's coming it's no biggie but definitely glad people are harmlessly curious instead of judgemental

[@linphillips8331]

Relating hard when he said he's sick of getting tattooed, lol. I don't have nearly as much coverage, but between the pain of receiving the tattoo and then the healing process, I'm just about done.

[@ThatCrazyK9Family]

Just got my first two face tattoos !! I have my right arm done hand done fingers no regrets ! He is so attractive to me !

[@SpankyEditor]

He looks so good

[@Exrecaller]

I love listening to quirky artists but this series is by far your most important

[@bmilkjl]

Great interview. Great interviewee! His ink was phenomenal. And about the company he work for... Just the reason why I'm about to start more projects. No policy. Good job good pay.

[@jakefairley6993]

This is the perfect level of face tattoos. It frames the face but doesn't mask it, the perfect mix of natural and artificial beauty

[@insignificant6088]

I never understood why people have there work ethic and character judged by the amount of tattoos they have. I only have two, I'd like more but not to cover my body. But this guy looks really good with his tattoos. He has a nice face and his tattoos really frame that. I get tattoos to represent parts of my life and personality... Everyone's body is their own.

[@rickydangler]

Tbh I became way more confident when I moved onto tattooing my face. Body suit otw. Yes I have a fulltime job n a family and Im doin just fine. Couldnt be happier about ny decision to ink my body as like i have

[@christianrivera2674]

Dude. "I think I'm going to look amazing." Fuck yeah. Right on.

[@whothefool398]

This makes me want to tattoo everything and stay in my job I have now.

[@vixxenfox2682]

I have tattoos and I can careless what I'll look like when I age. I'll enjoy them while I'm still young. I'll just be a badass grammie one day! 😎 😉

[@leleemcmurphy2246]

What beautiful art pieces!

[@anti-antifamclovin7627]

That Sub-Zero tat was dope!

[@mikea.4477]

0:05 Tattooed or not…we’re all gonna look like shit when we get older anyway! Lol 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@juanarcadiomejias]

What a nice looking guy with an amazing personality 😎❤️😎

[@bmilkjl]

50 years old with over 40 tattoos. Full sleeve on both arms, chest, neck, stomach, both legs, hand, full back piece and I'm still going. Planning my 2nd neck tattoo as well as full thigh piece. Oh yeah. Work a regular shift Monday thru Friday. No policy. More companies should be that way.

[@d.brooks3858]

You look great dude!! Keep fighting the good fight

[@VitiateTheImmortal]

Love those tats man! I’m currently have one sleeve and both hands. Now working on the other sleeve. I began last august and plan to go all in as well.

[@mikip.1530]

Solid, my brother! ✊

[@ostbagar3]

Gosh! You are sooo cute😃and wellbuilt to! This old lady got shivers😂

[@jimmyskoog]

I absolutely love these videos 🔥 Much love from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@jinx710]

Same. Now I’m a senior supervisor for Birkenstock at 28.

[@kevyn808]

A marine?? My man! I got out of the army 2 years ago and my whole left arm is done lol. And i could care less what anyone thinks about me lol. We are all gonna die anyways. So why not live your life the way you want it. Thats some clean ass ink bro

[@The_VANtastic_Pack]

He is sooo adorable inside & out😍 and.... those are some nice pieces 👌

[@XtinaCMV]

Good lord, this dude is so fine. 😍 His personality makes him even more attractive.

[@MrSionalun]

I love the Blink-182 tattoo, I have the same on my leg. I'd bet he's a big Travis fan like a lot of us

[@halfway_hippie]

“Back in the 90s” 😩 😂

[@zenthomas9180]

Great tattoos 💯☘️🎭✌🏻peace✌🏻🎭☘️

[@spiritmoonintuitive]

When I first got tatted it was in 1976 and tats on females and tats on anyone were not popular, people frowned on them. I was instantly hooked on tats; I'm a 71 y.o female and still getting tatted. Nowadays tattoos are more acceptable and I don't get stares like years ago, just compliments. My body my choice.

[@Brandenuzis]

I can’t wait to be 70 and tatted head to toe. I’m 20 so it’s gonna be a while but I’m getting there and still have tons of room.

[@ItsManley]

His hoodie is awesome

[@BeeKay4444]

Getting inked is cathartic for me. I can easily sit for 8-10 hours. Just need artists that can. Lol.

[@steveotatooed]

He isnt lying about tattoooing becoming less exciting as you get older lol I have sat for many 10 hour sessions and honestly im over the long sessions I really dont wanna od anything over 2-3 hours at a time

[@michelleusher2499]

Amazing!!!

[@FantasticCalamity]

Hail Thyself. Live your own life. Let others live their own.

[@TeethOfDead]

Honestly I think tattoos that are old school or with spiritual/cultural meaning age like fine wine when the person gets older. I can’t say the same for water colors and realism but aye bouta be a wild nursing home. Just don’t pose like a badass when you only got infinity wrist tattoos .

[@erikadowdy686]

Hes got AWSOME tattoos though He spent some 💰 money on them

[@smackabroad123]

as a Marine Corps vet myself I have my full sleeve and some of my leg done. I work in Cyber Security and I think tattoos are certainly becoming more widely accepted as the older generation trickles into retirement.

[@DavidPrachtbrot]

He seems to be so nervous and uncomfortable

[@NickWavvy]

How

[@jesse6779]

where do i get that hoodie?

[@Locopueblo]

Didn't expect him to work as a CO

[@deadringer333]

He’s, “sick of getting tattooed!” So take a break Bro, who’s forcing you to get tattooed?

[@djinfreemind1966]

It is the addiction that drives one to get more.

[@deadringer333]

@@djinfreemind1966 I have a lot of tattoos and if I ever felt sick of getting tattooed then I’d easily take a break.

[@djinfreemind1966]

@@deadringer333 count yourself blessed that you don't have those addictive tendencies.

[@deadringer333]

@@djinfreemind1966 but I do have addictive tendencies lol was addicted to many drugs and alcohol. I know everyone is different. Just saying he can work on his addiction.

[@djinfreemind1966]

@@deadringer333 I have often wondered why people get addicted to what they do. I've spent my life playing whack-a-moll with addictions. I endeavor to understand and practice the 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism to deal with addiction in my life. I think everyone is addicted to something. It seems to me that, some addictions are less harmful and/or socially accessible than others. It is humanities way of dealing with the inherent dissatisfaction that is existence as a human. I don't know who said it but, "existence is the problem".

[@deanshields8031]

If he works in the prison system I’m sure a lot of people look like him.

[@ninjasrose1653]

I actually think he looks dope!

[@dannydevito5312]

I had a 12 hour session on my thigh and that one sucked. I also had an 8 hour round trip drive. I had to chug some Red Bull to get home

[@rogeramezquita5685]

I want his hoodie

[@lifeisoverrated96]

Dope hoodie, is that blackcraft?

[@robertpapp9013]

I have five really great tattoos I love tattoos two coverups one that needs to be touched up but the other 3 are the original tattoos

[@igipop112]

do the US army has a tattoo policy? as far as I know, here in Switzerland for the service in the army it dosen't matter, as long as there are no forbidden motifs or signs.

[@jackfriend4u]

when people ask me "does it hurt?" i always say "yes, but so does giving birth (and the months leading up to it) as well as sports injuries, bikini waxes, hangovers etc"...but folks still keep doing it again and again, lol! life hurts, but if you can do it an organized way with some autonomy then you've gone beyond the accidental and incidental pain and you've achieved something else entirely. as for "what will you look like when you get older?" anyone who has any sense of how the world treats "older"' knows that as you get into that age bracket, you're looked at less and less, and treated with more and more irrelevance. what will i look like when I'm 80 (dog forbid!) and covered in tattoos?...probably a lot like a guy who is 80 and covered in tattoos. i will be as wrinkly as most humans get at that age, and no one is going to care what i look like, but maybe they'll have more questions if they even bother to notice. the best reasons to get inked in the first place are for your own reasons and hopefully not because you did so as some spur of the moment trend to fit in with whatever crowd of folks you hang with...and if that is the reason, then with any luck you come to love your ink anyway and have no regrets.

[@ksinclair-garcia2092]

To each is own. I love tattoos

[@qgenie1666]

I love how he says he grew up in a relatively small town and went to high school with 80 people. That’s not a relatively small town that is a small ad fuck town, I didn’t even know it was possible to have just 80 kids

[@Kitanaii]

Not sure I am a fan of the combination of Japanese imagery, American flag with bombs and the nuke explosion tattoo on his hand, but maybe I am projecting too much onto it, considering the current world state.

[@tommy.H361]

Yea when ppl ask that question. What I think I'll look like when I get older? im gonna be old and wrinkled just like you.

[@katesmortimer]

What a handsome chappy

[@ForgottenRebel77]

you work in the prison system? what do inmates think about a CO having more tattoos than most of them do?

[@dannydevito5312]

I’m going bald and I want to blast my head with tattoos as well

[@CrimminalHEXX]

One of my goals is to be on this channel. Still got a long wayy to go.

[@chameleonbill]

Sick

[@orangie8942]

wow you got tattoos, im getting a chubby.... lmao take it down a notch

[@fakenails]

Tats are still very taboo for women in my country, but many are getting ones that are still hide-able. Classic arguments are 'mark of unemployment' or 'what will your husband/kids think' or 'shame to the family'.

[@calyx93]

What an interesting and handsome man. Grrrr

[@Lion-dq9uj]

This is common now days . No big deal to be tatted from head to toes especially in the jail system...

[@irene16no23]

I think he's beautiful...😍😍😍

[@johnwaites1569]

Who gives a shit, do what you want to do, life is not a dummy run, when your dead your dead your not coming back so live.live.live and enjoy!

[@talosheeg]

Dude I wish I could get tattooed but my family is strict conservative and I want to be a teacher so not too many tattooes for me and I'd have to cover them 😭

[@Itsunclegabby]

What are they going to do? Skin you? Disown you? Oh no! When my head hits the pillow, I don't think about my family or their feelings about my life choices. I ask myself if I lived that day to the fullest. We have limited time here in one body. Decorate it. Go be happy.

[@beboppapadopoulos4158]

Why cover them? I had one or two highschool teachers with visible tattoos and that was in Alabama. Surely if it’s okay there it’s okay most places.

[@drewblanche]

Get them. Who cares. Chase your dream. I have them don’t regret them. Face tattoos need to be more excepted. That’s like not letting bald people wear wigs lol

[@smokeybear520]

Depends on the school and obviously what you have tattooed. My wife has a lot of visible tattoos and teaches K-4th. Do you think they consider how you feel when they make their everyday decisions ? Go get tatted lol Also I agree face tats need to be more excepted. I have one and like to think it’s original and tasteful and haven’t gotten anything about it …but even if I did I wouldn’t care cuz I’m living MY life 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@lexjude]

I'm a teacher. It's fine. Don't go below the elbow until you get tenure.

[@mephisto136]

Hail satan..man..on alot of levels I relate...I have full head tattoo...inverted cross on my face as well..yes I'm fully employed..lol...and I feel the head tattoo as I get old was one of the best choices iv made...

[@JodieFunnell]

Everyone says 'research your artist' 'find the right artsist', where do you start? There's so many artists out there, where do u begin to find the right one for you? Simply googling 'tribal tattoo artist near me' ain't guna cut it. 😅

[@rossmurrayfam1568]

Just ask if they sell cocaine the artists that sell cocaine are good artists

[@taylorrosepole]

that eagle chest piece is DOPE

[@nichobrown8578]

My mum and nan don’t like mine me nan thinks I look duty lol 😂

[@graememccormack5193]

Cool as fuck 😎

[@r.dinesh5026]

🔥🔥💯🇮🇳

[@PLT123]

I totally agree about wait and find a good artist. My brother went to the closest, cheapest tattoo shop to him and he got a chest peice, two half sleeves and a leg peice by the same shitty tattooer. All his tats are faded already, shakey line work, misspelled word, and most of them are badly placed. They all look like totally garbage. I have one tattoo currently, but I want two trad Japanese sleeves done by tebori technique. I did so much research on artist that do it and they all have two or more year waiting list. I put my name down and I have to wait and pay a pretty penny for my future tattoos. To me it's totally worth to wait a couple years give or take, and pay what the artist is asking to have an amazing peice for a life time....but that's just me 😊

[@Grady0521]

A lot of people you work with looks like you, just not your coworkers.

[@chadlovell5982]

This dude is obviously heavily inked. But not extreme by modern standards. Things have really changed in public mind. You see folks with multiple bodysuits. I do selfishly wish it was still more fringe. Now soccer mom's have sleeves. Idk. It's for everyone to enjoy..be careful what you wish for..

[@zoichi_kanoe6227]

Neither like me, even if I have no tattoos

[@unai49999]

A 🐷 Will allways be a🐷, no matter how much ink you try to hide with.

[@steveotatooed]

Anyone who is heavily tattooed gets the dumbest question asked" How do you rhink you will look when you get older? Ill look the same but with more wrinkles. Are there many hot 60, 70 , 80 year olds that are dressing slutty and vain about their looks? Not many so its a dumb question