The numbers inked into Chino Ly’s fingers represent the day he went inside, the portrait on the back of his head is his baby sister and the reference to ‘betrayed’ on his back is a nod to his biological father.
Chilling reminders of his past may be memorialised in the ink on his skin but the violent side that landed Ly a six-year stint inside some of America’s toughest prison’s is no more.
The symbols on his skin have meaning, some he still likes, others he is ashamed of.
Melbourne tattooist Huynh ‘Chino’ Ly (pictured) has revealed how he turned his life around after prison
Ly was taken under the wing of experienced prisoners who tried to teach him that there was more to life than violence
He was sentenced to six years in prison inside one of America’s toughest jails and joined a gang to survive
He would use an ink gun made from materials he could source inside, began tattoo himself and other inmates
‘On my fingers is the day I went in until the day I got out: 11/09/07 – 1/10/13, in the American format of month/day/year,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The back of my head, I have a portrait of my baby sister and the star, that resembles the gang in prison with the word ”blastin”.
‘On my back it says ”betrayed”, and the reason is mainly family issues, such as with my biological father and uncles.’
With regret he shares his distaste for the mark that reads ‘f**k all my enemies’ on his hand.
His tattoos are sprawled across his body and represent where he has been, the challenges he has overcome and the story of his journey.
Ly initially moved to Fort Worth near Dallas, Texas, from Australia for a fresh start but he quickly found himself immersed in a scene saturated by violence and guns.
The peak of his disgrace came when, in a heated argument over a girl, Ly sliced a man across the chest with a sword at 17 years old in a bid to scare his victim.
The peak of his disgrace was when he sliced a man across the chest with a sword and was told by police the man’s death would be on Chino if his victim didn’t make it
After setting himself up with the notoriously ruthless ‘Tango Blast’ Ly was officially a member of the biggest prison gang in Texas
He used the brotherhood to get through the tough times of prison before eventually finding his love for tattooing
‘I felt the sword cut right through him,’ he told the Herald Sun.
When the police arrested Ly he was told that if the man didn’t survive he would be solely responsible for the death.
He was sentenced to six years in prison for the offence and moved around different jail houses, rubbing shoulders with hardened criminals and seasoned offenders.
The Melbourne tattooist explained that the only way to survive behind bars was to become a member of a feared gang member.
The 27-year-old moved to Texas from Australia but soon became involved with into guns and violence
He began his sentence at transfer facilities in Abilene then in Brownfield and was moved between another two prisons after becoming involved in a race riot.
The pain he felt on his first night can’t be described in words but knew his long-term survival would be best achieved aligning with a brotherhood.
After setting himself up with the notoriously ruthless ‘Tango Blast’ gang, Ly was officially a member of the biggest prison mob in Texas.
‘They sold me this dream that we were there to take care of each other… but then you started to see more of the darker side and you realised people were just trying to use you.’
Chilling reminders of his past may be memorialised in the ink on his skin but the violent side that landed Ly a six-year stint inside some of America’s toughest prison’s is no more
The Melbourne tattooist survived life in some of America’s toughest jails by becoming a member of a feared gang
Battling depression with drugs he would fight anyone who tried to cross his path.
While at a low point, he found his talent for tattooing and, using an ink gun made from materials he could source inside, began tattoo himself and other inmates.
As punishment for his inking set up, he was once put in 24-hour solitary confinement for two months.
It almost pushed him to his limits, but he was able to keep going and persevere through, finally making it out the other side with a new outlook on circumstance.
Veteran inmates tried to teach him their ways, he turned his attitude around, focused on eating well and working out, before his state of mind began to flip.
After his release five years into his sentence when granted parole, Ly was sent back to Australia and handed over to the Federal Police.
Reminders of his past are memorialised in the ink on his skin but the violent side to Ly has surpassed
Ly moved to Melbourne after living in Brisbane with his father and began work as a tattoo artist
He was given a fresh start, and with only two suitcases, $500 cash, and a renewed sense of purpose, Ly headed for his father’s in Brisbane where he stayed for a short time.
Ly next headed to Melbourne where he got a job at a tattoo studio, an art form he has now truly embraced and pursues passionately.
He is offering insight into his story in a hope to deter other youths from going down a similar path and wants to send a message that violence isn’t the way forward.
‘Gangs and crime are still an issue in Australia and here in Melbourne,’ he said.
‘I’ve made some bad decisions,’ he admits. ‘Now I’m ready to make some better ones.’
Ly had been sentenced to six years in prison inside one of the US’s toughest jails and became part of Texas’ toughest gang