BSH Visitation Center

MA DOC - Rules by Security

Prior to any visitor being denied entrance, the Shift Commander shall be notified for approval. A visitor who is denied entrance shall, if he/she chooses, be allowed to leave the institution, correct his/her clothing and come back during the same day to visit as defined in 103 CMR 483.15, however, repeat violations shall be documented and after the third warning the Superintendent may suspend the visitor's visiting privileges.

A. The following items are NOT ALLOWED:

1. Boots worn above the knee (exception - boots below the knee shall be permitted October 15 - April 15);
2. Work boots shall never be permitted;
3. Bare feet;
4. Bathing suits, shorts, any clothing with excessive pockets, metal, drawstrings, excessively baggy or tight clothing, hooded clothing, sheer, excessively revealing or transparent clothing, bodysuits of any type or wrap around shirts. (Children age 8 and younger may wear shorts.);
5: With the exception of undergarments, spandex or spandex type clothing is not allowed;
6. Any clothing that displays a gang affiliation or is in any way attributable to gang culture; additionally, clothing that is obscene, racist or displays sexual content is not allowed;
7. Any clothing similar to that issued to an inmate or uniformed personnel, to include nursing scrubs,
. police, postal and utility (Class A active military uniforms are allowed);
8. Fatigue or camouflage clothing;
9. Double layered clothing on the bottom half of the person (e.g. two (2) pairs of pants, or skirt and slacks);
10. Bibbed clothing of any type: shorts, dress, pants, overalls, jumpers etc. (allowable for age 8 and younger);
11. Hair accessories that cannot be easily removed to be searched;
12. Bobby pins, barrettes and ribbons;
13. Umbrellas, jackets, coats, vests or outerwear of any type. Exceptions may be made for those facilities where visitors have to travel outside to get to the visiting area. An area may be designated to store/hang these items not accessible to the visitor and inmate during the visit;
14. Male visitors may not wear any type of blue or black jeans into an institution that incarcerates males. Female visitors may not wear any type of blue or black jeans into an institution that incarcerates females (allowable for 8 years old or younger);
15. Earrings, facial/body jewelry, necklaces, bracelets and watches are not allowed. The only exception regarding jewelry is a traditional engagement ring/wedding band, religious medallion and medical alert jewelry;
16. Dresses, skirts and skirt slits shall not exceed three (3) inches above the knee when standing. No wrap-around style skirts are allowed unless worn for religious reasons;
17. Tank tops, halter tops, muscle shirts, or clothing that reveals the midriff or excessively exposes the back. Tube tops of any type are not allowed. Sleeveless clothing is not allowed unless covered by an article of clothing, such as a sweater, that shall not be removed;
18. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, wind pants and exercise clothing (allowable for age 8 and younger);
19. Clothing with zippers that go the full length of the garment with the exception of outerwear (allowable for age 8 and younger);
20. Colored T-shirts are allowed. T-shirts with offensive logos are not allowed;
21. Leg warmers;
22. Hats and head coverings of any type, unless worn for religious or medical reasons; however they must be searched prior to entering the institution;
23. No electronic communication devices (e.g., cell phones, electronic devices)or those capable of storing information are allowed.

24. No wearing or possession of any type of glitter make-up materials to include Chap Stick or lip balms, facial make-up, nail polish, eye shadow etc.

B. Dress Requirements for all Visitors:

1. Undergarments must be worn;
2. Clothing shall not be ripped, torn, have holes or missing buttons.

C. Exceptions to the Dress Code:

1. Sweaters may be worn;
2. Hairpieces (i.e., toupees, wigs, extensions, weaves) may be worn but must be searched. It is the visitor's responsibility to inform the officer that he/she is wearing a hairpiece during the search processing;
3. Garments with elastic waists may be worn.
4. Jackets or blazers may be worn as part of a suit or outfit by students participating in a clinical/internship program.

Allowable items

Infants - Visitors entering with infants will be allowed to enter with the following items:
• Two (2) clear plastic bottles with either formula, milk, water or juice, one empty sippy cup, two infant diapers and infant wipes in a clear plastic bag, one (1) receiving blanket, (1) pacifier, two (2) plastic sealed jars/pouches of baby food, (1) plastic spoon and one (1) bib.

Medication and or Medical Devices
• Visitors who maintain life-saving medication or who utilize medical devices to include: nitroglycerine, inhalers, and glucose tablets, automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator and/or pacemaker, wheelchairs, prosthetic devices, insulin pumps, casts, braces, medically necessary shoes, canes, walkers, guide dogs etc., or requiring the use of oxygen tanks shall obtain prior approval from the Superintendent to visit with such medication/device(s).

• The visitor shall submit written evidence signed by a medical doctor documenting the need for such device(s) to the Superintendent for review. Written evidence shall include an anticipated end date for the use of all devices that are necessary for a limited time period (e.g. cane, cast) due to temporary medical conditions.
• Once substantiated, the Superintendent shall provide written approval to allow the visitor to enter the institution with the device(s); the Superintendent shall authorize an alternate search if deemed appropriate due to the visitor being unable to submit to a metal detection search due to physical limitations or the presence of the device(s).
• The visitor shall be required to declare the device(s) and produce the written approval by the Superintendent every time they visit. If an alternative search is approved, the visitor shall be subject to a personal search every time they visit the institution.
• If this is a first time visit to a correctional facility by the visitor, the Shift Commander shall be notified for authorization to enter with the necessary device(s) provided the visitor has agreed to a personal search prior to entering. This one time approval shall be documented via an incident report and made available to processing staff. The visitor shall be advised that they must obtain the required approval prior to their next visit.
• Visitors who have life-saving medication shall keep it on their person at all times.
• The officer shall note all medication or medical device(s) upon entry on the visiting form and verify upon exit of the visiting room.