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anon01 · #1 08-25-2005, 08:21 AM

Hello I would appreciate help from anyone who has spent time in a female prison. I have been convicted of embezzling money from my company and am currently awaiting a date for sentencing.

I am a senior manager therefore my fall from grace is causing some of the staff a good deal of amusement - I have seen an email from a colleague saying " I am looking forward to seeing what the painted clown really looks like".

This is what is worrying me. I am petrified as I never go out of the front door without full make-up never mind at work. I have seen info posted on the website about leg irons and uniforms in prison and am really scared as as a senior manager I have a certain look to maintain and would look completely different without my face on.

I intend to wear my usual atire to court, blouse, skirt, heels and of course full makeup. In prison I will accept wearing a uniform but want to keep my heels and will be not to let anybody see me without makeup. Are boots alowed in prison and does anyone know whether my make-up will need to be removed?

Lillybee · #2 08-25-2005, 08:29 AM

I am sorry for your troubles. But I believe make up is not allowed in prison at least in the States. Heels will not be allowed. Prison is prison. You will have to allow yourself to adjust from your normal way of life.

AdamDiScala · #3 08-25-2005, 08:56 AM

Anon:

Yeah, a lot of people are asking about this stuff. First, I agree that make-up will be impossible. Boots too. Usually you'll either have white sneakers, flip flops, rubber shower shoes or a combo of those. I had orange flip flops, which I wore most of the time, and also sneakers which I wore outside.

The court thing: I highly, highly recommend that, as a woman, you not wear heels if you go into custody. Take it from some of the recent posts, it is nearly impossible to balance in legirons and heels. I had a hard enough time as a guy, and with one bailiff holding each arm. Remember that you have no use of your arms, since they'll be chained to your bellychain at the sides or in back. Wear something professional but comfortable, since depending on what time your sentencing happens, you may be in a holding cell for the majority of the day until you're all shipped off to jail at the end of the day.

You can wear make-up in court of course, and it will probably be removed when you get in uniform for the first time. That could be in the holding area or once you reach your jail.

Unfortunately, yes, you do have to adjust to a new way of life. I understand that it will be hard for a woman who's used to a pleasant image. It may seem like little consolation, but remember that your fellow inmates will look just as grungy. I hope your time is not too bad, good luck. PM me anytime.

anon01 · #4 08-26-2005, 06:27 AM

But its my 'natural' face, surely removing my make-up is a violation of my personal rights. I don't mind wearing a uniform, but my made-up face is how I am seen by everyone - I just can't be seen without it. I'll have to refuse to remove it. Does anyone know what the admittance procedure is to prison from court?

AdamDiScala · #5 08-26-2005, 06:41 AM

Anon:

Unfortunately you lose many of your personal rights when you are convicted. You're no longer free from search and seizure and there's absolutely no expectation of privacy. It's a new life. I mean, it sounds like a rather serious white collar type thing you're going in for, so I don't know how long you're supposed to be down (I was just in for a month on DUI). I will say that if you refuse to follow a rule in prison, you'll probably be forceably made to follow it, put in the hole, or both. You really don't need that.

As far as admittance, it varies. First, you're in the UK, aren't you? I know nothing about your jurisprudence system...I do know things I've seen and heard (in fact, I think you're not restrained at all unless there's a risk of flight or danger?). I'll tell you how it was for me in NY anyway: I went straight into custody, so as soon as my sentence was read I was placed in full shackles and taken to the holding area downstairs. I sat in chains in the cell for several hours, then at the end of the workday I and 5 others were taken out, lined up, searched, our bellychains were connected to each other in a chaingang style, and we boarded the jail transport. At the county jail we were offloaded, taken to in-processing, and given the works: turned in our property, strip-searched, got into uniform, medical, haircut, new mugshots taken, ID cards made, given our accounts and issued gear, placed back in chains and I headed to my cell.

All in all, from sentencing to cell, about 15 hours.

WW_Reviewer · #6 08-27-2005, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamDiScala

Anon:

At the county jail we were offloaded, taken to in-processing, and given the works: turned in our property, strip-searched, got into uniform, medical, haircut, new mugshots taken, ID cards made, given our accounts and issued gear, placed back in chains and I headed to my cell.

Is the haircut a men-only thing, or are there regulations relating to women prisoners too?

cjjack · #7 08-27-2005, 10:40 AM

Women in federal prison can absolutely wear make-up. You just have to have the funds to buy it. But high heels? Sorry. Steel-toed shoes is what you will be wearing.

AdamDiScala · #8 08-27-2005, 11:42 AM

Wow...thanks for the clarification cjjack. I was sure about the shoes but it's a shock to me that women can have make-up! Anon...I guess it's your "lucky day" in a strange way, if you want to look on the bright side.

WW, I'm not even sure about the haircut thing for women. I believe it's not mandatory. At county, for men, it wasn't even obligatory, I just chose to get a crewcut because it was summer and the jail on Long Island is very hot.

haswtch · #9 08-27-2005, 07:02 PM

Anon, you may even find makeup is not as important as you think. Take it with a grain of salt. Your time in is not going to be about what you will or will not accept, rightly or wrongly it will be about what they do or do not allow. But you probably aren't half as wierd-looking as you think! and if I were you (which I am not and I can't claim to have been there) I would worry less about how to look and more about how to cope.
Martha made it; you can too hon!

Gaol · #10 09-01-2005, 07:36 AM

I'd have thought you'd have more important things to worry about than make-up, like a criminal record, not being able to get another job, being trusted by no-one etc.
I'd get your priorities straight if I were you.

phoenixman · #11 09-01-2005, 02:37 PM

While I agree that make-up would not be on the top of my list, I can see the reason for the question. When you are going through this process, there is very little you can control. You want to latch on to and find out information on what you can or perceive you can control. The things that you mention Gaol are difficult if not impossible to control. The wonderful thing about this site is the ability to ask any question and not feel judged and/or ridiculed about questions/concerns and I hope it always stays that way.

anon01 · #12 09-02-2005, 04:55 AM

So during processing would my make-up be taken off of me? If so for how long until it is returned? Also would I be forced to wash my face?

cjjack · #13 09-02-2005, 05:11 AM

No, it will not be taken off for you. But remember, you cannot briong make-up in with you. You will have to wait until it is your day to shop at commissary until you can purchase it. Other women will not let you borrow theirs.

To be quite truthful, and not to sound mean, but make-up is really going to to be the least of your worries inside. You will be strip searched, you will share a room with other women, and to be honest, it makes no difference what your job was on the outside. You will simply be a number just like everyone else. You are going to be exposed to a completely different way of life and the prison and the inmates don't care what your background is. The previous poster was correct in that you will be labeled a felon and will not have the same life you once had.

So yes, there will be a period of time where you will not be wearing make-up.

tinab1221 · #14 09-02-2005, 06:22 AM

During your fed time you can buy lipstick, eye pencil, mascara I'm sure however that varies for different facilities

Carlax3 · #15 09-02-2005, 09:15 PM

I'm not sure why the "emotional" attachment to the makeup...but I truly urge you to seek some assistance with the transition prior to going to prison. If you are unable to handle the loss of makeup, then you surely are going to struggle with accepting the fact that you will no longer be considered a "senior manager". As someone stated, you will be a number and the prison officials are not going to coddle you through this transition. Do not borrow anything from anybody...or you will owe. Do not trust anyone immediately. And be prepared for everything. But make up is the least of your worries.

Carla

Bonehead · #16 09-03-2005, 07:51 AM

It's very daunting going to prison and changing your routine but once you get there you'll quickly forget about such a trivial thing. I don't think anybody will blink an eye if you don't look your best. Alot of things are going to change for you and alot of things that you take for granted will go out the window.

Good luck.

AdamDiScala · #17 09-03-2005, 10:41 AM

Somehow I don't think "anon" is reading this stuff anymore.

gypsyhorses · #18 09-03-2005, 08:41 PM

I myself am preparing for sentencing in a federal prison. I have heard it said that "Respect" is very important when in prison. I tried to always respect others but I am neverous as to what exactly this terms means in prison. Would someone please address this issue, I am afriad I won't know what it means? Also someone said if you are a felon, when you get out you can't get a job. Well then, how can you possible work? I would appreciate your all feedback.

Blackie · #19 09-09-2005, 11:34 PM

Personally if I were in your situation make up would be the least of my worries, but to each his own. I think you need to find a way todeal with your situation because if make up is your top concern you are going make yourself have a hard time adjusting to priosn life. I worked at a halfway house that housed federal inmates male and females, nad I know the rules are a whole lot different than an actual prison but what you came there with you were able to have and not once the whole time I was working there did we have any females come in with makeup in their property. Eventually when they started thier jobs in the community they would began purchasing items such as that. At any rate I wish you much luck and hope evreything works out for you.

BigTime · #20 09-21-2005, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anon01

But its my 'natural' face, surely removing my make-up is a violation of my personal rights. I don't mind wearing a uniform, but my made-up face is how I am seen by everyone - I just can't be seen without it. I'll have to refuse to remove it. Does anyone know what the admittance procedure is to prison from court?

Your gonna a shock when you hit pen! If your taken into custody at sentancing you will have leg irons and at least be cuffed and belly chained.

Strasse · #21 09-21-2005, 12:50 AM

FWIW, in California, female inmates can have hair brushes, cotton balls, douche, eyebrow pencils, eyeliner, eye shadow kit, face cream, face powder, facial astringent, hair clippies, hair rollers, lipstick, and perm stuff. Sect. 54020.17.5.

PTO-29412 · #22 09-23-2005, 01:33 AM

I have taken a couple of bits from the UK Female prisoners handbook:

You will be taken to the prison’s reception. The
things that you brought with you will be listed
by a prison officer. You may be allowed to keep
some things (the officer will tell you which) and
the rest will be taken away for safekeeping.
• This is called your property.
• Everything will be given back to you when
you leave prison.
• You may have a bath or a shower.
• You will be given a prison number and told
where you are to sleep.
• You will be seen by a member of the prison
health care team.

You should be able to have a hot bath or shower
at least once a week.
You may also be given toiletries, including
feminine hygiene products, depending on the
prison you are in.

All women are encouraged to wear their own
clothes in prison and most women do so. If for
any reason you are not able to wear your own
clothes, the prison will provide clothes for you.
You will be able to replace these clothes when
they are no longer fit for wear.

The link to full publication on this site is here

sarahgw · #23 09-24-2005, 08:30 AM

So like you can wear your own things in England?

Strasse · #24 09-24-2005, 10:31 AM

You can wear personal clothing in CA prisons as well, though it's pretty stringent as to what's allowed (only solid colors, no logos / pictures / words, certain colors are forbidden, etc). Though apparently CDCR isn't renewing their contract w/ JC Penney (personal clothes have to be bought through JCP), so I don't know how much longer that will be true.

twinkie1 · #25 10-23-2005, 05:53 AM

Hello: I will be surrendering in about a week to a camp for medical facility. I have severe problems with swelling feet (daily and poor blood circulation in my legs). I am also diabetic with recent toenail surgery that will take about another 3 weeks to heal. Will a doctor be able to write a prescription for some appropriate shoes under these circumstances and about how long will it take for me to receive them? Thanks

Wherever you are...God Is.