Corrections Officer inconsistency - Mother of an Incarcerated Son

Today started off great, like any other visitation day. I am always in high spirits when it comes to seeing my son. There is not a care in the world on visitation day except the careful thought you have to give on what to wear. You would think that what's on the DOC list is it but NO it is not. I have a part of my closet that I go to when I visit. I choose these garments because I haven't had any issues on prior visits and I have pictures to prove such. Today was different though. Visitation issues are like Russian roulette ... you never know what you are going to get until the trigger is pulled meaning what crew will be at the front search area to decide who comes in and who does not.

I have never worn sweats to visitation. I don't even own any sweats ... well, after today's issue I do now. I was well dressed in my opinion. My pants were fitting, as they always are, dressy pussy bow tie shirt with a pair of ankle booties. I had on a skully and matching scarf as well. I will say I was unsure about the hat and scarf but the outfit has been worn for visitation so I was not concerned about that. I've learned that I should have been.

Upon arrival to Baker C.I. my daughter and I walk in, chipper and cheerful as always. I had not even gotten in the door good before I am told my pants are too tight. The C.O. behind the glass says "HOLD UP ... LET HER KEY IN!" I do the key pad thing and turn to the young lady and ask how are my pants too tight when I have worn them to previous visits? We exchange words, nothing horrible, just engaging in conversation about my pants when the supervisor comes out. None of this crew looks familiar. She tells me I can't wear my hat or scarf and I need to change the pants. She also tells me there is a Dollar General up the road where I can get something to wear. I immediately got an attitude ... a bad attitude. I did not appreciate being told to change when I had worn the pants before nor did I want to get anything from Dollar General. I knew they would NOT have anything to match my top or ankle booties so I would have to purchase a new top, bottom AND shoes.

I told my daughter to go on back and let her brother know what happened. I would sit in the car because I had not planned on spending money on an outfit I would probably never wear again. My daughter was NOT hearing it. She truly acts as if she is my mother sometimes. Needless to say I spent $28 in that store to see my son. That was an unplanned expense and I was not happy BUT I am thankful for growth and controlling the controllable is what had to be done if I wanted to see my son.

I changed at the Dollar General, upon walking into the prison I apologized to the staff for my anger and expressed how nice it would be if all search area staff operated by the same rules. I shouldn't be allowed to wear this with one staff and then be denied by another. I know by the looks on most of the faces that it fell on deaf ears but the two who heard and listened to me expressed how nothing was wrong with my outfit and that I was right ... they need to be consistent at the door because there were others in there that had on clothing tighter than mine. They were right about that too but again I say CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLE. All in all it turned out to be a great visit even though we could not take pictures because they were out of film. I have learned that not all things are meant to be captured physically, just enjoy the mental memories ... I will definitely be doing that.