What to Wear (and What NOT to Wear) When Visiting Ohio Reformatory
Dress code problems can stop you at the door. Here's what to wear so you don't get delayed—or turned away.
Start with the clearest rule: inappropriate attire isn’t allowed. That includes see-through clothing of any kind, torn or ripped jeans, or any clothing with holes. If skin is visible through the fabric, it falls into the “don’t wear it” category for visiting.
Plan to keep your outfit on the entire visit. Whatever you wear into the facility stays on - coats and gloves are the exception. Choose something comfortable, fully opaque, and easy to leave alone once you're inside.
Specific Items
- ✓ Hairpins
- ✓ Underwire bras
- ✓ Certain boots and shoes
- ✓ Clothing with multiple zippers
- ✓ Excessive jewelry
Don't count on bringing backup clothes to fix an outfit problem at the door. No extra clothing is allowed inside. If you think you might need a different layer or shoes, leave them in your car - not in your hands at the entrance.
Speed Processing
- ✓ Pick an outfit with minimal metal so you’re less likely to get delayed at the metal detector.
- ✓ Skip hairpins when you can.
- ✓ Avoid underwire bras if you have a workable alternative.
- ✓ Choose simple shoes (certain boots and shoes can trigger the detector).
- ✓ Wear clothing with fewer zippers; multiple zippers can slow entry.
- ✓ Keep jewelry to a minimum.
- ✓ Wear something you can keep on for the duration of the visit (outerwear like a coat and gloves is the exception).
- Prepare for screening - all visitors are subject to search upon entry, so build a little extra time into your arrival.
- Bring bona fide photo ID and be ready to register - you must register upon each visit and show identification.
- Handle the visiting application paperwork carefully - a legible copy of your photo ID must be provided for the visiting application, so make sure the copy is clear and easy to read.
Note: Outerwear like a coat and gloves is treated differently, but otherwise the attire you wear in is expected to stay on for the duration of the visit.
Not sure if something will pass? Call ahead before you make the trip. Each institution's managing officer has discretion over dress code enforcement and other visit details - so the most reliable answer comes directly from the facility.
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