Prison crackdown as partners ditch underwear and don see-through tops for raunchy visits

In its latest attempt to crack down on illegal contraband, prison chiefs are bringing in new rules for the partners of prison lags — including people showing up without pants

Prison chiefs have been forced to clamp down on the dress code for wives and girlfriends visiting partners after some women arrived not wearing underwear. Other women have tried to see their husbands wearing miniskirts and see-through dresses, while some donned the football shirt of their partner’s team.

Convicts’ wives and girlfriends have even turned up for visits sporting T-shirts emblazoned with cannabis leaves and other symbols, deemed inappropriate by prison officials. The clampdown has taken place following an update on the Ministry of Justice website last month on prison dress codes.

The document states that prison visitors should not wear “see-through/or revealing clothing, visible or exposed underwear, mini skirts or very short dresses or Shorts which are shorter than mid-thigh to knee length”. Items of clothing that display offensive abusive or insulting words or gestures are also banned.

The rules have been specifically enforced at HMP Preston and Garth Prison in Lancashire as well as HMP Oakwood, in Staffordshire, and Berwyn in Wales. HMP Berwyn has also issued a leaflet to the partners of inmates explaining why the rules have been changed.

The leaflet says “In the interests of encouraging a positive and comfortable environment Visits has established a “Standard of Decency” which governs visitor attire during a visits session. Enforcement of this policy shall be in accordance with the visits policy. “

The leaflet lists banned clothing and adds that “underwear must be worn”. It also adds: “Tops must not be transparent and sufficient to cover both breasts and the midriff area must be covered. Cleavage must be appropriately covered so as not to cause offence and all tops must have a sleeve.”

The dress standards issues have also been discussed by prisoners’ wives on various Facebook groups. Referring to the HMP Berwyn document, one woman wrote on Facebook: “Underwear must be worn; this cracks me up.

“So I’m guilty of wearing lingerie, thongs and even crotchless on a visit, but I would never dare go on a visit without wearing any knickers.” Another added: “Brilliant, they don’t say what kind of underwear, do they?.”

The dress code also applies to children. One mother wrote on the Facebook group: “My two year old had a hood on his jumper and they made me take it off him and my 10 year old step daughter wore a top that showed her belly and they were refusing her”.

A prison officer told the Daily Star Sunday: “You would not believe what some people wear to prison when they are visiting their partner. We’ve had women not wearing underwear, wearing length boots, very, very short miniskirts, very tight catsuits.

“The sort of clothing which is very revealing but completely inappropriate for a prison visiting room.” A Prison Service spokesperson said: “As the public would rightly expect, all prison visitors have long been required to adhere to a strict dress code to help maintain safety and security.”

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