What to Wear to Visitation at Dauphin County Prison: The Complete Dress Code
Dress code violations are one of the top reasons visitors get turned away at Dauphin County Prison. Stick to conservative clothing and follow the length and sleeve rules below—you'll save yourself a wasted trip.
Dauphin County Prison has a firm rule on length: dresses, skirts, shorts, and similar items must touch the knee. If you're debating whether something is
See-through, tight, low-cut, or revealing clothing isn't allowed. This includes outfits that look fine standing but become revealing when you sit, bend, or reach. Wearing a button-front shirt? Keep it buttoned high enough to avoid a low neckline - unbuttoning too far can get you turned away.
Sleeves are required. All shirts and blouses must have sleeves at least two inches long. Tank tops and tiny cap sleeves won't cut it.
Common Refused
- ✓ Any outfit that breaks the Dauphin County Prison dress code (you can be refused visitation for this)
- ✓ Dresses, skirts, shorts, or similar attire that do not touch the knee
- ✓ See-through clothing (including sheer panels)
- ✓ Tight clothing that’s form-fitting or revealing
- ✓ Low-cut tops
- ✓ Button-front shirts worn unbuttoned to a low-cut or revealing point
Religious face veils and other face-covering garments are permitted at Dauphin County Prison. Staff will still need to see your face for identification, but they'll accommodate you - a female DCP staff member will verify your identity in a private location.
Quick Checklist
- ✓ Wear dresses/skirts/shorts that touch the knee
- ✓ Choose clothing that is not see-through, tight, low-cut, or revealing
- ✓ If you wear a button-front shirt, don’t unbutton it to a low-cut or revealing point
- ✓ Wear a shirt or blouse with sleeves at least 2 inches long
- ✓ Arrive before sign-in time (late arrivals are refused)
- ✓ Bring proper identification (no ID = no visit)
- ✓ If staff says your outfit violates dress code, you can be refused visitation
Reminder: You can also be refused entry if you appear intoxicated or under the influence, or if you don't supervise your children during the visit.
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