Need current info on colors you can and cannot wear in CA prisons

wyogypsy, RN · Jun 21, 2013

I had the same problem with my recruiter - for goodness sakes we have to bring clothes to wear so why not just have the list for us unless it is the first prison they have ever staffed?

I do not know that these colors apply to ALL Calif prisons but they do apply to some so hopefully this will help you out. If you have the number to the prison I would call and ask for staff development and explain the situation to them and ask if they can give you guidelines for that particular prison, I wish that I had done that.

Nothing that looks like denim, no blue; no orange, no red, no gray. I bought solid color tops and bottoms as that was easy and I didn't want to wear a lot of prints - but that was the wrong thing to do. You basically need to wear a solid color pant and a print top so that there is no way that an officer can mistake you for an inmate in case of an emergency; or you can wear black pants and a different color top but not black pants with a black top. I do wear black pants with solid tops but the tops are pastel colors. Don't get a print top that could be considered a denim blue when being looked at from a distance.

When you think of blue think of teal, royal blue, navy blue, anything that can be considered blue by someone looking at you from a distance. Think of this also when wearing a jacket - get a jacket that is multi-colored or feminine if you are a female (I have a pink jacket). If you show up with a black or gray jacket you will not get to wear it past the gate, they will send you out. No jackets in the above listed colors.

You are expected to wear your scrubs to orientation and they will tell you if you have something on that you shouldn't, may send you home to change (yes this happens). If you dont' get to talk to staff development I wouldn't buy a lot until you get there and then you can order some online if there is not a uniform store close by.

katkonk, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2013

Thank you so much for your information. I finally got a brief note from my recruiter, but your information was much more detailed and informative. I appreciate you taking the time to write all of that. Fortunately I have most of what I need already, just have to purchase a couple more items. I did have a two tops that I was going to take with me, but know now that I cannot.

Many Kudos to you. I do think the color -thing is common to all CA prisons, although Juvenile detention could possibly be different.