Table of Contents
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Program Statement
OPI: CPD
NUMBER: 5230.05
DATE: November 4, 1996
SUBJECT: Grooming
POLICY §551.1
The Bureau of Prisons permits an inmate to select the hair style of personal choice, and expects personal cleanliness and dress in keeping with standards of good grooming and the security, good order, and discipline of the institution.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The expected results of this program are:
- Inmates will maintain appropriate standards of grooming, bathing, and clothing.
- Articles necessary to maintain personal hygiene will be provided to inmates.
- Inmates with beards will be required to wear beard coverings when working in food service or where a beard could likely result in a work injury.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED
Directive Rescinded: PS 5230.04 Grooming (10/01/90)
Directive Referenced
PS 1600.07 Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (05/30/96)
PS 4700.03 Food Service Manual (10/07/96)
PS 6000.05 Health Services Manual (09/15/96)
Rules cited in this Program Statement are contained in 28 CFR 551.1-7.
STANDARDS REFERENCED
American Correctional Association 3rd Edition Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions: 3-4134, 3-4188, 3-4270, 3-4322, 3-4324, 3-4325.
American Correctional Association 3rd Edition Standards for Adult Local Detention Facilities: 3-ALDF: 2C-10, 3D-13, 3D-14, 3E-10, 4D-12, 4D-13.
American Correctional Association Foundation/Core Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions: FC2-4069, C2-4102, C2-4103, C2-4131, C2-4133, C2-4170.
American Correctional Association Foundation/Core Standards for Adult Local Detention Facilities: C2-5146, C2-5147, C2-5170, C2-5171, C2-5172, C2-5173.
American Correctional Association 2nd Edition Standards for the Administration of Correctional Agencies: 2-CO-4D-01.
PRETRIAL/HOLDOVER PROCEDURES
Procedures required in this Program Statement are applicable to pretrial and holdover inmates.
MUSTACHES AND BEARDS §551.2
An inmate may wear a mustache or beard or both. The Warden shall require an inmate with a beard to wear a beard covering when working in food service or where a beard could result in increased likelihood of work injury.
HAIRPIECES §551.3
Inmates may not wear wigs or artificial hairpieces, unless medical authorization to do so is approved by the Warden.
HAIR LENGTH §551.4
The Warden may not restrict hair length if the inmate keeps it neat and clean. An inmate may have a shaved head or long hair.
The Warden shall require an inmate with long hair to wear a cap or hair net when working in food service or where long hair could result in increased likelihood of work injury.
The Warden shall make available to an inmate hair care services which comply with applicable health and sanitation requirements.
Where practicable, hair is to be cut in a room or rooms specifically designated for that purpose. A multi-purpose area may be used where this is not practicable. Hair cutting shall be done in an area that permits observation by staff. Equipment must to be stored securely when not in use. A current inventory of hair cutting equipment shall be maintained.
RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS §551.5
The Warden may impose restrictions or exceptions for documented medical reasons.
PERSONAL HYGIENE §551.6
The Warden shall make available to an inmate those articles necessary for maintaining personal hygiene.
Examples of articles to be available would include:
- soap,
- toothbrush,
- toothpaste or powder,
- comb, and
- toilet paper.
For women, products for female hygiene needs shall be available. Shaving equipment is to be available upon request.
The admission process at each institution is to ensure that such items are available to newly admitted inmates.
BATHING AND CLOTHING §551.7
Each inmate must observe the standards concerning bathing and clothing that exist in the institution as required by standards of §551.1.
28 CFR 551.1 refers to Section 1 of this Program Statement.
OPERATIONAL REVIEWS
Unless otherwise directed by the Warden, Correctional Services shall conduct Operational Reviews of the provisions of this Program Statement.
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Kathleen M. Hawk, Director
Published Feb 8, 2025 by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA | Last Updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Feb 20, 2025 at 7:05 pm