While most aspects of your correctional officer uniform are dictated within your department’s regulations on such matters, grooming and appearance may not be so clear. If you didn’t have this bit of information drilled into your head constantly throughout your time at your correctional officer training academy, you will.

Until then, here are some areas that you should address and be aware of prior to attending your correctional officer training.

Tattoos

How a person’s tattoos will be perceived while on a new job is a general concern for most people in which it applies. Obliviously if you have a tattoo that is only visible to your significant other then you won’t have much to worry about. For all others, your tattoos shouldn’t be offensive, objectionable, or is not gang-related or affiliated in any way. Additionally, if you the type with head, face, or neck tattoos, then you may also be against your department’s guidelines.

Hair/Facial Hair

For most people, if you normally keep your hair neat and clean with the occasional trim or edge up then you’ll be fine. If you find it difficult not to come in rocking the same mullet, rat-tail, ponytail, or Mohawk, then you might have some issues that will need to be addressed, aside from your current choice in hairstyles. While there is no Correctional Officer Haircut that you must have, your neat and orderly appearance will speak volumes on your competency level to supervisors and the rest of your coworkers. Basically no extreme hairstyles, outrageous colors, or hair below the collar.

Mustaches are allowed if kept neat and trimmed. Handlebar mustaches are normally not permitted. Beards are often not allowed unless you have a skin condition documented by a doctor, what we called a “shaving profile” in the Army. Even then, your beard growth must still remain within the prescribed guidelines set by your department. Sideburns must also be neat and trimmed, with a length not exceeding the bottom of the ear.

Female correctional officer hair should also be neat & clean, preferably pinned close to the side if needed, and not extending to far down ones back. Items normally used to restrain hair would be allowed if they remain basic and simple.

Your eyebrows and eyelashes must remain in their normal shape and color. Overly excessive arches, pointing, painting or otherwise unnatural eyebrows are not usually permitted. The same can be said for unnatural eyelashes as well.

Fingernails

Correctional officers on duty will need to ensure that their fingernails are maintained to be clean and trimmed at all times as to not interfere with the carrying out of one’s duties.  Usually, fingernail length is established in the department’s guidelines but often should not exceed one-fourth inch (1/4”) over top of the finger. If nail polish is used, it should be a natural color, or clear. No writing or designs on fingernails are allowed.

Jewelry

If you choose to wear your personal jewelry on duty as a correctional officer, keep in mind that generally if it is lost, stolen, or damaged that your department will not responsible. The common types of jewelry such as watches, wedding bands, and medical bracelets are allowed. Necklaces in most cases can be worn if they remain under the collar and non-visible. Earrings, nose rings, tongue and lip piercing, and any other type of facial jewelry will most likely not be permitted.

Makeup/Colognes & Perfumes

If a female correctional officer chooses to wear makeup, then it should blend in with their natural skin color and be consistent with the wear of the uniform, be conservatively applied, and have a natural appearance. Cologne or perfume, if worn on duty, should be used in moderation and not overpowering.

Finally, the guidelines presented here are just an example of what you should expect to find currently in place as a matter of policy on grooming and appearance standards for correctional officers. Make sure that you read up on your own department’s specific guidelines on this matter and follow them accordingly.