Hey guys. This is sort of embarrassing to admit.

My dad was arrested and is in prison right now. He's asked me to come see him. Says he needs his son and to see his face (but really, I haven't seen my dad in almost a year because he's been badly on drugs and I live 700 miles away). Well I thought I might go. But my mom (they're divorced) brought something up.  She said that with my binder, I may not be able to get through security dress code.

It's tight fitting clothing and that's not allowed. They may ask me to remove it, and it could be in front of them.

So has anyone visited anyone in jail or prison and this was an issue? What did you do?

She suggested loose fitting shirts, but it is still embarrassing and creates dysphoria for me...and I would die if someone saw my chest... I'm 5 years on testosterone and no one knows -- or would know -- that I'm trans, but its the fact that someone might think I have heavy gynecomastia (or somehow figure out I'm trans) that bothers me lol

I just don't want it exposed.

Any advice guys?

I would just wear it. If they ask, tell them it's a medical garment and that you will be in extreme pain if you remove it.

The prison must have published guidelines. Or just call them and ask.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on March 09, 2016, 05:26:35 PM
The prison must have published guidelines. Or just call them and ask.

I thought about this, but didn't want them to think that I was purposely trying to wear something tight and "pull one over on them" kind of thing. I didn't want to raise any sort of red-flags. I'm definitely not trying to sneak anything in. I don't mind if I'm searched. I just don't want to not wear one or asked to take it off.

There is a big difference between county jails (where people serving less than a year go), various state prisons and federal prisons.

I have visited in 4 different federal prisons.  Their security is similar to the TSA screening at airports.  You fill out a form listing various types of contraband and have to check no, beside each.  Then you send shoes, belts, wallet, and metal things etc. through an x-ray machine.  Then you walk through a metal detector.

If you alarm the mental detector, you get wanded.  Women wearing an underwire bra are not allowed in unless they take it off.  There are also several random protocols, such as every 5th male receives a patdown, or every third female is swabbed for drugs or gunpowder.

Of course you must present a driver license or other government ID.  I'm MTF, and my driver license says male.  I was pretty uncomfortable when they called a male correctional officer to do a random patdown. 

As long as your binder has no metal parts, and you wear a looser shirt over it, you should have no problems.  They just don't want female visitors wearing skimpy, revealing, sexy clothes.

Example of federal visiting rules here:  https://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/spg/SPG_visit_hours.pdf

Here's an example of screening rules.
----
Screening: Visitors will be required to successfully pass through the walkthrough
metal detector. In the event this is unsuccessful, a hand-held metal
detector will be used to identify the location of the metal and it is the
responsibility of the visitor to remove that item from the area. In the event the
visitor can not remove the item or they suspect the item is a part of their clothing
such as buckles, straps, hair pins, bras, etc... they are responsible for departing
the institution and rectifying the issue. All visitors are required to clear the walk
through metal detector without exception.
Visitors with medical devices that cannot be removed must have supporting
documentation from a physician.
Should the visitor still be unable to successfully pass screening, the Operation's
Lieutenant will be contacted for further assistance. No visitors will be allowed
entrance without clearing the walk thru metal detector.