What NOT to Wear to Your Deer Ridge Visit — Blue Clothing, Metal Detectors, and Medical Exceptions
Want to avoid getting turned away at the door? What you wear to Deer Ridge matters. The biggest issue is blue clothing (including denim). The next most common problem? Metal setting off the walk-through detector.
Don't wear any blue clothing to your Deer Ridge visit - that includes denim. Oregon DOC adults in custody wear blue, and the facility enforces this color rule for security. Show up in blue or denim, and you can be denied entry before your visit even starts. Build your outfit around anything but blue.
Heads up: Blue clothing (including denim) can get you turned away at the entrance.
Other Clothing Accessories
- ✓ Lined outer garments (like raincoats, ski jackets, and other lined jackets) - leave them at home or plan to store them in a facility locker
- ✓ Hats - don’t plan on wearing one inside
- ✓ Clothing with metal buttons - they may set off the walk‑through metal detector
- ✓ Body piercings and jewelry - these can trigger the detector, so leave them at home or use a locker
- ✓ Underwire bras - the underwire may activate the detector
- ✓ Some shoes - certain shoes can also activate the detector
Most
Have a medical device or condition that makes the walk-through metal detector a repeated problem? Oregon DOC has a walk-through Metal Detector Medical Exception Form. It's a general form used across DOC facilities for visitors, volunteers, and contractors who need an exception.
- Get the exception form completed - fill out your information and have your physician verify the medical issue on the form.
- Contact Deer Ridge for submission instructions - the form is submitted to the facility, so ask the facility how they want it turned in.
- Follow the facility’s process on visit day - bring or pre-submit the completed form exactly as Deer Ridge instructs so you’re not stuck troubleshooting at the entrance.
Reminder: The medical exception form expects physician verification (signature and related details).
Practical Entry Tips
- ✓ Wear solid, non-blue clothing (skip denim too)
- ✓ Leave lined outerwear (raincoats, ski jackets, other lined jackets) at home or plan to store it in a locker
- ✓ Don’t wear a hat inside
- ✓ Remove jewelry and body piercings before you arrive (or store them in a locker)
- ✓ Avoid clothing with metal buttons when you can
If you have an implant, medical device, or another condition that makes the metal detector difficult, plan ahead - don't hope it
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