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What to Wear (and What Not to Wear) When Visiting Ohio Reformatory

Dress code problems are one of the fastest ways to lose time—or miss your visit entirely. Here's what to wear (and avoid) to keep check-in smooth at Ohio Reformatory.

• 2 min read • dam.assets.ohio.gov
What to Wear (and What Not to Wear) When Visiting Ohio Reformatory

Whatever you wear into Ohio Reformatory is what you'll have on for the entire visit. Skip anything see-through, torn, or full of holes that show skin - staff will flag it as inappropriate. You're also required to wear proper undergarments (bra, slip, underwear), so choose an outfit that keeps everything fully covered.

  • ✓ See-through clothing of any kind
  • ✓ Torn or ripped clothing, or any clothing with holes where skin can be seen
  • ✓ Any outfit that doesn’t include appropriate undergarments (for example: bra, slip, and underwear)

Remember: You can't bring extra clothing into the visit. What you wear in stays on - coats and gloves are the exception.

Give yourself extra time for entry. Every visitor goes through a search, and delays happen when something triggers the metal detector or requires additional screening.

  • ✓ Hairpins
  • ✓ Underwire bras
  • ✓ Certain boots and shoes
  • ✓ Clothing with multiple zippers
  • ✓ Excessive jewelry

Pacemakers: Bring medical documentation. You’ll need it to support passage through the metal detector.

  1. Dress simple - the more metal on your outfit, the more likely you are to get delayed during screening.
  2. Skip hairpins - they can set off the metal detector and slow you down.
  3. Choose footwear carefully - certain boots and shoes can trigger the metal detector.
  4. Go light on zippers - clothing with multiple zippers may cause delays.
  5. Keep jewelry minimal - excessive jewelry is another common reason visitors get held up.
  6. Be ready for a search - all visitors are subject to search upon entry, so plan for the process to take a few minutes.

Have a pacemaker? Bring your medical documentation to clear the metal detector without hassle. If you need prescription medication during the visit, bring only what you'll take while there - and log it at the officer's desk when you arrive.

Pack light: You can't carry extra clothing inside - no change of clothes or spare layers allowed.

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Before a child can visit at Ohio Reformatory, paperwork comes first. The key form is the Minor Visitor Application (DRC-2238) - it must be completed, signed by the child's custodial parent or legal guardian, submitted, and approved before the child's first visit. While you're preparing, know that Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction materials like the ODRC General Visiting Instructions (DRC-2274) and the Declaration of Understanding (DRC-2554) are available to staff, incarcerated people, and visitors. Ask to review them if you need clarity on the overall process.