A former inmate who covered half of his face with a tattoo reading 'DEVAST8' has lamented his struggle to find work.

Mark Cropp, 19, had been drinking home brew alcohol behind bars in New Zealand's Christchurch when he went under the needle last year.

But after serving his two-year sentence for armed robbery, Cropp has found the ink to be a stain on his job prospects in the free world.

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Mark Cropp covered half of his face with a tattoo reading 'DEVAST8' while drinking homebrew alcohol in jail

The father took to social media this week in the hope of finding a job to provide for his baby daughter.

'Hey im keen as to work but have one thing that is stoping me and thats my tattoo on my face [sic],' he wrote on the Auckland job Facebook page

'Keen as on job or work place that will take me on [sic].'

But Cropp told NZ Herald prospective employers were reluctant to give him a chance because of the ink.

'One employment place said to me: "I wouldn't employ you with that on you face, I wouldn't even take a second look at you",' he said.

'I've had other people that just shrugged and laughed at me.

The teenage father (pictured with his partner) has taken to social media this week in the hope of finding a job

Cropp said that prospective employers are reluctant to give him a chance because of his distinctive ink

'I was over people judging for my facial tattoo... that's why I made the decision to put that photo on Facebook, to turn around and say "I am just a normal human being, you do not have to judge me because of the way I look".'

Cropp was locked up in 2015 after he pulled a knife on a tourist who backed out of a fake marijuana sale.

In a bizarre twist, he landed in the same cell as his brother, who persuaded him to get the ink to stop other inmates giving him trouble.

Cropp was behind bars in Otago Correction Facility when he went under the needle last year

The tattoo was meant to be a 'little one along the jawline,' but the pair got carried away after drinking home brew made from fermented apples, sugar and bread.

'Before I knew it I had this on my face... It was swollen like a bloody pumpkin,' Cropp told the publication.

He maintains 'DEVAST8' is his nickname and not gang-related.

Cropp's plea for work has been met with an outpouring of praise and suggestions on Facebook, but it remains to be seen if that translates to a full-time job.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cropp for comment.