Ohio Administrative Code › Title 5120 - Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections - Administration and Director › Chapter 5120-9 - Use of Force; Institutional Rules › Section 5120-9-25.1 - Appearance and grooming of female inmates

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
(A) Inmates shall be required to be neat and
			 well groomed, and otherwise conform their appearance to the standards set forth
			 in this rule. Inmates refusing to do so may be subject to force and/or
			 appropriate disciplinary action consistent with this rule Inmates may purchase
			 personal hygiene items, to include shaving materials, deodorant, toothpaste,
			 toothbrushes, soap, and towels through the commissary. The institution may
			 issue these items without charge or on credit if the inmate does not have the
			 available funds.
(B) Toilet
			 facilities and toilet paper shall be available to all inmates. The institution
			 shall have authority to place limitations on such facilities when necessary for
			 safety or security.
(C) Inmates
			 shall have the opportunity to shower no less than five times weekly. Inmates
			 must be given a reasonable length of time under the shower to be able to soap
			 and clean themselves properly.
(D)
			 Haircuts shall be provided as needed. Hair shall be kept clean.
			 Hair must, at all times, remain readily and thoroughly
			 searchable for contraband. Hair that is in such condition that it cannot be
			 readily and thoroughly searched is prohibited and shall be subject to forced
			 cutting as provided in paragraph (I) of this rule. For purposes of this rule,
			 "searchable" shall mean that it can be determined, through ordinary search
			 procedures, whether the inmate's hair contains contraband. Ordinary search
			 procedures include, but are not limited to, passing a hand-held metal detector
			 over the inmate's hair and scalp to determine whether any metal objects are
			 present and/or directing the inmate to turn her head upside-down and run her
			 fingers vigorously through her hair.
Braids and dreadlocks may be worn
				subject to the limitations of this rule and provided that the thickness of each
				individual braid or dreadlock does not exceed one-half inch. The following
				hairstyles or facial hair are not permitted: initials, symbols, dyes, multiple
				parts, hair disproportionately longer in one area than another (excluding bangs
				or natural baldness), weaves and shaved heads. Hair coloring is not permitted
				unless approved by the warden and provided by an individual properly licensed
				to provide such a service and/or provided as part of an authorized program.
				Other hairstyles not specifically listed herein may be prohibited if they are
				determined to be either a threat to security or contrary to other legitimate
				penological concerns as determined by the office of prisons. The warden may
				impose restrictions or authorize exemptions to these prohibitions for
				documented medical or mental health reasons, in conjunction with medical or
				mental health treatment, or to accommodate a sincerely held religious
				belief.
(E) In the
			 interest of security or proper enforcement of department rules, hair may be
			 searched or checked for compliance with this rule
								 at any time.
(F) Sideburns, bangs, and other facial hair
			 must be neatly trimmed. Facial hair must not protrude more than one-fourth inch
			 from the skin.
(G) A new photo
			 shall be taken whenever in the judgment of the managing officer or designee any
			 significant change in physical appearance has taken place. Re-photographing
			 shall be at the inmate's expense if the change in appearance is occasioned by
			 grooming changes.
(H)
								A reception inmate may receive a haircut, if necessary,
			 for reasons of sanitation or as otherwise permitted by this
			 rule.
(I) Forced haircuts shall only be given if the inmate
			 has not been given an exemption from the grooming
			 restrictions set forth in paragraph (D) of this rule, has been given an order
			 to cut her hair, has disobeyed the order,
								
								has been issued a
			 conduct report and the rules infraction board determines that the hairstyle or
			 hair length is contrary to this rule . All reception inmates shall receive a
			 haircut before an institution picture is taken, if necessary to bring the
			 inmate in compliance with 
			 this rule. In the interest of maintaining security and
			 sanitary conditions, unless the inmate is asserting a sincerely held religious
			 belief as a basis for the condition of the inmate's hair, forced
								 haircuts may be issued to reception
			 inmates without a conduct report or rules infraction board approval. A log
			 shall be maintained denoting all forced haircuts
			 in reception facilities and other institutions.
			 The log shall include the date, the inmate's name, number, race, the
			 circumstances, and the employee authorizing the forced haircut. The institution
			 must also comply with all required procedures regarding the use of force.
			 Inmates shall conform their appearance to the standards set forth in this rule.
			 Inmates refusing to do so shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action,
			 which may include requiring an inmate's hair to be cut or trimmed against her
			 will.
(J) The rules infraction board may indefinitely
			 restrict the style or length of hair of any inmate who is convicted of
			 concealing contraband in, or other misuse of her
			 hair,  or administratively convicted of escape-related misconduct or
			 criminal activity
								.
(K) Female inmates are
			 permitted to wear earrings. Hoop and stud types are not to exceed one-half inch
			 in diameter. Dangle type, those that hang from or attach to a post or wire are
			 not to extend more than one-fourth inch below the bottom of the ear lobe.
			 Earrings are not to be worn on any part of the body, except the ears. A maximum
			 of two pair of earrings may be worn at one time.
(L) Inmates performing
			 work assignments which may reasonably be determined to include safety hazards
			 or sanitary concerns may be required to wear appropriate protective equipment,
			 such as hats, hair nets, etc.
(M) Inmates are not
			 permitted to manicure each other's nails or eyebrows, style or cut another
			 inmate's hair, or to perform any other cosmetic procedure, except in an
			 authorized program, or by inmates who have been authorized by the institution
			 to perform such duties. Hair clippings shall be considered contraband and may
			 not be retained by any inmate.
(N) Institutions may
			 require inmates to cut their fingernails and toenails. Fingernails and toenails
			 shall not extend beyond the tips of the fingers or toes. Artificial fingernails
			 are not permitted.
(O) Inmates may wear a reasonable amount of make-up.
			 Eyeliner will not exceed the eyebrow area. Staff may require an inmate to
			 remove make-up if in the judgment of a supervisor any significant change in
			 physical appearance has taken place.
(P) Inmates must be
			 neatly and fully dressed at all times when outside their living area in the
			 uniform of the day or appropriate attire as established by the
			 institution.