I’ve been working at the local county jail for about 7 months now, and have seen the tats that are made in there using ash and V05 shampoo. To get the ash they burn something underneath there bunks or inside the small locker and take the soot/ash that has accumulated on the top. What do they use to burn what they are burning? And what are they burning? Is it the pencil’s lead? I don’t think it’s a stinger because they use that to get things warm, but is it warm enough to catch things on fire given they still have to take the fire and place it near there bunks. I’ve been told they use a lighter or matches but I really don’t think they have these items, our shake downs never turn up lighters or matches. The inmates are under direct supervision, but I do understand some officers are lazy and may not catch things like this.

When our institution stopped selling lighters and matches in commissary, we started finding the inmates had started using “AA” batteries and razor blades from their disposable razors to light their cigarrettes, wicks, etc. You just take the two batteries flip them opposite directions like you would putting them in your TV remote, and then put the razor blades at both ends making contact. They heat up quickly and get hot enough to create ash by burning paper. They also are disassembled easily to look like everyday normal things an inmate would be allowed to possess, except for the scorch marks on the razor blades, which they usually flushed when they were done with.

Our inmates seem to be able to gete lighters with no problems. Matches are sold on the commissary. Thanks for the information on the razor blade lighters, will start keeping my eyes just a little more open in the future.