Coldblue,

Most penal institutions, both federal and state, are very PICKY when it come to the allowable dress code, so I advise you might want to do a couple of things----

1) Read the dress code and what you can and cannot wear to the visiting room,

2) Take an extra set of clothes and shoes---or maybe two sets---just in case they turn you away because of what you are wearing. That way, you can go back to the car and change into something they will allow.

Have a nice visit and I am sure you will enjoy your son.

rewdiazepam

Rew,

Thank you. I did read the dress code and called to verify a few things that were not on there list which I would have been turned away for so it is kind of irritating that certain this are not covered on their list. The change of clothes is a fantastic idea, thank you.

No underwire, no metal buttons, nothing metal at all.. nothing in your pockets... etc...

Nothing short or skimpy.. nothing too low cut...

You are best off in plain jeans, t-shirt or sweatshirt, tennis shoes, no boots or fancy anything plain plain plain...

You're going to have to go thorugh the security and the metal detector which is a 100 times more sensitive than any airport even those with the full body scanner...

this is all you bring with you... Your ID, your car keys (everything left in the car locked up tight), and the change you need for the vending machines... everything else is non-essential...

if you have piercings get the Bioplast studs for them...

Well I can take out my piercings but the under wire is going to be a challenge I don't have anything without. Are they really going to turn me away for that? Maybe I should go shopping.

underwire can get you turned away or slow down your entrance... I suggest a sports bra or something... I know not flattering uniboob... but no one looks 'great' in prison, even the visitors... :)

When picking out your clothes think plain, covering and drab... leave the funny sayings on t-shirts at home or covered up... cause they can turn away for those silly things too... Think of them as the bartenders of the prison, they reserve the right to refuse anyone.

I would wear jeans or sweats, tennis, t-shirt, and a zip up hoodie so I could take it off if I got hot. I know REALLY not flattering, but I never had issues with the guards or getting in to the prison to see my man...

If you have ever been through customs, think of them as those guys, say little, answer in short succinct answers and do what they tell you and move on... Once you're checked in, it is all downhill... :)

After you have visited a few times you'll see others there and can judge how the guards are going to react to some things... But to ensure your entrance that first time best to err on the safe side...

Thank you for all the information. I guess I will be going shopping after work.

My niece had underwire in her bra and they called her aside and did the wand but she was lucky because I saw other woman on other visits that did not get in. I guess depends on who is at the front desk on your visiting day but I wouldn't take a chance. Like Wis said go plain, dress down & follow the rules. I also wear a sports bra so I wear a looser shirt because who wants a sports bra hugging you (unless you are a size 2...lol).. Wear socks because you will have to put your shoes/sneakers/boots whatever through the scanner. Do yourself a favor and leave the jewelry off.

My son wears a tan shirt and pants so the visitors cannot wear anything tan at all...and they are very strict about that - I have seen people leave crying! You cannot even have on a tan blazer, they made one man take it to his car before letting him in.

I bought a see-thru zip makeup case to put my money & key in. Some people use baggies but the makeup case is stronger to hold change. I take bills and change because you never know what the vending machine will be taking on that day. We can take in 40.00. They usually don't count your money but they can if they want. Print off the rules from the internet from that prison and then you will have them for the future.

Where my son is you need to know your plate number, make & model and his inmate number to put on the form. I always write them down before I get in there. I know his number by heart but always afraid I will have a "brain" freeze...which happens often these days!

Every prison has different rules so you will hear a variety on here. Good luck and glad you are getting to see your son!

I thought I was okay with the dress code posted on the website for my first visit, but when I got to the visitors waiting room (before being processed to go inside) and saw the additional wardrobe rules (that after a couple of years still aren't posted on the website), I realized that half of what I packed wasn't going to be permitted. After that first day's visit, I went into town to find a thrift store and bought a few more garments. If khaki pants are forbidden, one CO may interpret that to mean anything that's light to medium brown, and a different CO may even include pants that are cream colored. We're not kidding when we say to keep an extra set of clothes in the car!

Yes; no u-wires, socks and shoes that can be taken off/scanned, minimal jewelry, no tank tops (low neckline, bare arms), no scarves, no pockets in sweatshirts, or hoodies for us.

awww jeeze! beyond a shadow of a doubt, i am not built to be wearing a sports bra.... LOL

Well my visit was bitter sweet. I was so happy to see him but I never thought I would be visiting him in prison I thought I would be visiting him in college. They were pretty laid back and my daughter wore the wrong kind of pants but they let her in anyway, they just told her next time she can't wear them so that was pretty nice of them to let her in anyway.

EcoMoon, I am definitely not built for a sports bra either....lol

coldblue! LOL then we are birds of a feather!

so very, very glad that you got to visit with him!!

Glad all went well, and you got to see your son. I know how it feels to not be able to see your child. I haven't seen mine in almost 11 months.