What to Wear (and Not) When Visiting Nashua Street Jail
Getting turned away for a dress-code violation is frustrating—especially after you've already made the trip. Here's what to wear (and avoid) so you can get through the door at Nashua Street Jail.
Your upper body must be fully covered at Nashua Street Jail. Skip anything that leaves your shoulders bare or shows too much skin - halter tops, tank tops, tube tops, short tops, cropped tops, body T‑shirts, and see-through tops are all prohibited.
Attorney exception: Sleeveless shirts are permitted for attorneys, even though sleeveless tops are prohibited for regular visitors.
Wearing a dress or skirt? Pay close attention to the hemline. The written guidance actually conflicts: one dress-code page says hems must be no more than 3 inches above the knee, while another says they must extend 6 inches below the knee. If your outfit is anywhere near borderline, go with the more conservative option - or call ahead to confirm before you risk getting turned away.
- ✓ Baggy pants
- ✓ Pants with excessive pockets
- ✓ Army fatigues
- ✓ Sweats
- ✓ Shorts
- ✓ Uniforms
- ✓ Coats (not allowed in the visit area)
- ✓ Jackets (not allowed in the visit area)
- ✓ Sweaters (not allowed in the visit area)
- ✓ Rainwear (not allowed in the visit area)
- ✓ Ponchos (not allowed in the visit area)
- ✓ Hooded sweatshirts / hoodies (not allowed in the visit area)
- ✓ Over-shirts (not allowed in the visit area)
Leave the headwear and hair accessories at home. Hats, caps, kerchiefs, scarves, bandannas, rollers, curlers, barrettes, scrunchies, and rubber or elastic hair items are all prohibited. Keep it simple for screening.
Jewelry Small Items Allowed
- ✓ Wedding band
- ✓ Medical alert bracelet
- ✓ Religious medallions
- ✓ Handkerchiefs
- ✓ Locker keys
- ✓ No other jewelry is allowed
- ✓ No currency (coin or paper) is allowed (attorney exceptions may apply)
- Dress like you won’t need outer layers inside - coats, jackets, sweaters, rainwear, ponchos, hooded sweatshirts, and over-shirts are prohibited in the visit area.
- Leave extras locked in your vehicle - before you head to the entrance, put outerwear, extra jewelry, and any currency away so you’re not stuck trying to figure out what to do with it at the door.
Here's the biggest "gotcha" in the dress code: skirt and dress length. One official page says hems can be no more than 3 inches above the knee. The Nashua Street Jail visiting policies page says hems must extend 6 inches below the knee. That's a significant gap - and it matters if you're wearing a knee-length dress, a skirt with a slit, or anything that might ride up when you sit.
- If it’s borderline, default to stricter coverage - when you can, choose a longer skirt/dress so you’re safely within the most conservative reading of the rules.
- Call the facility to confirm before you leave - if you’re unsure about hem length (or any dress-code detail), a quick phone check can save you a wasted trip.
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