Andrew MacLachlan

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

The end of a long road inspired my most recent tattoo. I was on my way home from a 10 year prison term and I had just received my parole. “Real Hasta La Muerte,” Real Until Death, means continuously standing up for what you believe in, sticking up for others and always keeping it solid. Giving respect and getting the respect in return. That’s what it means to me.I made it from years in Administrative Segregation to owning a homestead in the country.From the Hole to Holy Ground.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

“Where you were, you are no longer.” I’ve endured years of struggle and trauma in solitary confinement. Through one of the activist organizations I contacted seeking help, I made a friend who advocated for me and listened. That friend is now my wife. Life is hard,but I found the way. I’ve made my way through the difficult journey, and now I am able to enjoy this new life with my wife, family and newborn son Andrew Jr happily living on our homestead.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest money in our homestead and finish building what me and my wife have started building. I would also donate a portion of the proceeds to my wife’s non profit organization Evolve which helps place formally incarcerated people into solar energy jobs and careers.