Missouri DOC Visitor Dress Code & Contact Rules (What to Wear to Visits at Algoa)
Algoa can turn visitors away for clothing that doesn't meet dress code, and staff enforce contact rules throughout the visit. This guide helps you pick a safe outfit and avoid problems at the door or in the visiting room.
Skip clothing that's overly tight or excessively baggy, and avoid anything transparent or revealing. Your top must cover your chest, cleavage, back, and stomach, with sleeves that cover your shoulders. Camouflage patterns are prohibited. For bottoms, skirts, dresses, and shorts can't be shorter than the top of your kneecap when standing. Wrap-around or slit skirts and dresses aren't allowed, and neither are pants with holes or slits. Headwear is prohibited except for verified religious purposes, and any approved headwear can be searched.
Note: If you wear religious headwear, expect staff to verify the religious purpose and search the item during entry screening.
The safest approach is modest and comfortable. Choose clothing that fully covers your chest, cleavage, back, and stomach, with sleeves covering your shoulders. Avoid extremes in fit, since both tight and excessively baggy clothing are prohibited.
Plan your outfit with screening in mind. When you enter Algoa, you, your packages, your children, and your vehicle can all be searched. Keep things simple and easy to check.
Reminder: Verified religious headwear is allowed, but it is subject to search. You may also go through additional screening like a towelette “itemizer” test during entry.
Algoa allows limited physical contact at the start and end of your visit: one greeting embrace, one departing embrace, and a brief kiss.
During the visit, holding hands is allowed. Keep it simple and within the rules so your visit isn't interrupted.
Visiting with a young child? Algoa allows children age 6 and under to sit on the offender's lap, unless the offender is a sex offender. Breaking visiting rules can lead to sanctions, so be careful about both dress code and contact boundaries.
Entry screening is strict. You, your belongings, your children, and your vehicle can all be searched. Metal detectors are standard. Staff may also ask you to wipe the front of your shirt, pockets, and palms with a towelette, which gets placed in an itemizer machine to detect traces of narcotics or explosives.
If you break visiting rules, refuse a search, use alcohol or narcotics, use inappropriate language, or create a safety or security risk, visiting sanctions may be imposed. The institution will send a written notice explaining the infraction and sanctions. You can appeal restrictions in writing to the Missouri Department of Corrections at 2729 Plaza Drive, PO Box 236, Jefferson City, MO. The ZIP code appears as 65109 in one source and 65102 in another, so double-check the ZIP on your notice before mailing an appeal.
Practical Checklist
- ✓ Pick a modest outfit that covers your chest and cleavage, your back, your stomach, and your shoulders (sleeves required).
- ✓ Avoid clothing that is tight or excessively baggy.
- ✓ Skip sheer, see-through, or otherwise revealing fabric.
- ✓ If you wear a skirt, dress, or shorts, make sure the hem is not shorter than the top of your kneecap when you are standing.
- ✓ Do not wear wrap-around or slit skirts/dresses, and do not wear pants with holes or slits.
- ✓ If you need religious headwear, be ready for verification and expect it to be searched.
- ✓ Bring as little as possible so screening is simpler, since you, your packages, your children, and your vehicle are subject to search.
- ✓ Expect security screening such as a towelette “itemizer” test (wiping shirt front, pockets, and palms) as part of entry procedures.
Quick tip: Don't refuse a search. Refusals and other rule violations can lead to visiting sanctions. Pack light and follow staff instructions during screening.
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