Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

SamiOrtiz · #1 06-16-2012, 11:50 AM

My fiance & I been talking for YEARS & until February I was to scared to go see him. My first visit with HIM was great. But going through the officers was a pain. The man at the door must have sensed it was my first time & was speaking loudly & harshly with me. once it came time to go the metal detactor, he made me take off my bra, my shoes, my hair pins, my jewelry. EVERY. Gave me a hard time about my bra, but being a dd i need to wear bras with wires. NOT a convo I want to have with an officer. Other women who had came in also had on jewelry and shoes and bras that did beep and wasn't messed with the way I was. He made me very uncomfortable both of my visits, and even other wives commented that they thought he was picking on me... What should I do in these situations??

thisfamily · #2 06-16-2012, 11:51 AM

File a complaint to his superiors... this sounds like sexual harassment and he's abusing his position.. I would call your prison administrator about this!! And soon, too.. before your next visit.

bdwell · #3 06-16-2012, 12:57 PM

Yes call the warden's office or chaplain. You dont have to get into all kinds of discussions ether. Just put the facts out there and ask that it be dealt with. Some co's are real aholes.

Mrs.taylor2011 · #4 06-16-2012, 12:59 PM

your bra? hell no i never heard any thing about that yes you should call the warden office and get some answer if you know his name that'll be a plus too because i bet he have had more then one complaint .

thatwiz · #5 06-16-2012, 02:13 PM

If you beep the metal detector, they can be as harsh as they want with you. It doesn't matter if what you see with others is not how you feel you were treated-I bet they feel hassled also. Make sure you wear things that do not set off the detector. Who knows if you're sneaking in a knife? As you haven't been there often and noone knows. If you complain about the Co, be prepared for even more scutiny in the visiting room. I used to wear sweats and sneakers-walked right thru every time, because I didn't want the hassle. If you cause attention to yourself, you will have issues every time, as you're not supposed to set off the detector.

MissVal1920 · #6 06-16-2012, 02:33 PM

If you feel that your experience with being processed as a visitor of any facility, the proper procedure is to write to:

Director, Office of Diversity Management
New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
The Harriman State Campus - Building #2
1220 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12226-2050

and CC the Superintendent at the facility you are visiting. Make sure you get the officer's name, if possible. However, if/when you do write, you need to make sure that your complaint is substantial.

In NYS, you must clear the metal detector to be released to the visiting floor. Period. There have been plenty of times that I've had to remove my bra, jewelry, change the pair of jeans that has that teeny piece of metal somewhere on the pockets or whatever. I never felt like it was singling me out regardless how much of an ass I think they are being. Some of them will be cordial and some will be straight pissy. You should not let them get to you. Your goal is to see your man and some go through a lot more to be able to do so.

Before you visit, make sure you remove any jewelry that is not gold, watches, jewelry, hair pins, bracelets that you think may ring and put in your change purse. Wear a sports bra or take the bra off and put in a paper bag before you go through the detector. Remove your belts and shoes when they call you up. If you have done all of this, and still feel harrassed then you have a reason to feel that way and should act accordingly.

All the best and don't let then get to you.

Lizatwin1 · #7 06-19-2012, 06:12 AM

Albany!!!!!!! Complain to albany never to the facility!!!!! They must have you sign a consent form for any type of search! Sounds like you have a legal matter here.

Lizatwin1 · #8 06-19-2012, 06:16 AM

when I said search I mean a search that requires you to disrobe and remove undergarments. I know this because I have a hip replacement and I sign that form every single visit and that's only to show them the site in a secured room by a female officer and I'm not removing clothing.

Momma Ann · #9 06-19-2012, 06:55 AM

ok-here is the solution: do not wear metal. If you must have an underwire bra, they provide bags at the desk. Go to the ladies room BEFORe you do through the metal detector and take it off. They will check the bag. Then, assuming nothing else is beeping. They will hand it back to you on the other side and you will put it back on in ladies room in the visitors area. Taking off shoes, hair pins, jewelry is standard procedure. You simply cannot wear metal through the metal detector. What I did was make up a few outfits that were metal free and never had a problem. I might add that besides creating attention on yourself with the officers--you are also delaying other visitors by not being ready to go for the metal detector. Take it all off before hand and save yourself the trouble.

Falconnier · #10 07-03-2012, 07:19 PM

Frankly, there's no real "need" to wear an underwire. With the TSA sending everyone thru metal detectors at airports, there are numerous alternatives that have no metal in them. Simple answer: don't want to be hassled about an underwire - don't wear one. "TSA-compliant" undergarments obviate the need to undergo a search.

LovingURM · #11 07-06-2012, 05:00 AM

Thats procedure. I always wear underwire bras (same issue as you) & i always have to take them off too.

Momma Ann · #12 07-06-2012, 06:46 AM

What is frustrating, is when ladies try to get through with one on--and are inevitably sent to the ladies room to remove it. Where I went, no one else was processed till this whole process was completed. So taking it off ahead of time is common courtesy to the other visitors to me.

SusanWayward · #13 07-06-2012, 10:33 AM

Interesting. I wear nothing but underwire bras and I've gone through metal detectors at the courthouse and at other public buildings and my bra has never set off a metal detector.

I think the prison should recalibrate its metal detector if women's bras are setting them off.

Based on my prior experience, I wouldn't think NOT to wear underwire to a correctional facility unless I was specifically told I could not. So, other visitors shouldn't be "offended" or "annoyed" that ladies wear them, unless a specific list of items that one is not allowed to wear is provided to each visitor BEFORE she arrives at the facility.

This was the OP's first visit. Judging by what she wrote, she wasn't warned in advance about the "no underwires or we'll publicly humiliate you" policy at this particular prison, so why the peevish replies to her post? Maybe it is she who is being denied common courtesy.

As for "TSA Compliant underwear":

1.) What is that?

2.) Where does one purchase it? I googled and couldn't find any.

3.) The TSA has no business dictating to free citizens what kind of underwear they are allowed to wear and actually, neither does a correctional facility.

4.) The TSA has no right to exist in a free country, but now I'm getting off topic.

Momma Ann · #14 07-06-2012, 12:14 PM

After one's first visit and issues with the underwire, you should be aware that you will not make it through the metal detector with one.Being prepared is just common courtesy once you know.

The detectors at prisons are super sensitive--I walk through tSa with an underwire all the time. The prison picks them up most every time.(I never wore one--but waited forever while others removed theirs).

The bottom line is you want to see your loved one and you do what you have to do.