How do inmates get haircuts in prison?

Question

Especially high security inmates? I mean, obviously they aren't given scissors to cut their own hair, but wouldn't it also be unsafe to have scissors so close to them? Are they cuffed to a chair when getting a haircut?

I watch a lot of Lock Up on MSNBC, and there are guys with long hair and guys with short hair. Obviously they aren't required to get their hair cut, but does anyone know any details about haircut privileges or rights? What's the procedure? Do they get a certain amount per year, or can they get them all the time? Since I do see smooth shaven guys on there, too. Do any guys get razors to do it themselves? I doubt that, but I'm always surprised by the random luxuries they get. I'm watching a guy eat this salad that looks delicious in his cell right now. Anyway, it was just something that really started bugging me, and I couldn't find anything about it on Google.

Answer 1

there barber shops in all prisons and most of the inmates do the cutting ,as one of the jobs that they can take ,,its supposted to be free but its not ,because most of the inmate barbers charge stamps or cantein to cut your hair .and you can get a hair cut at any time if you want ,as long as you arnt on lockdown,and there people that cut hair that r not barbers y,you can buy electrick beard shavers and get somebody to do it for you and regular packs of shavin razors just like you can at the store off of the comoncerry ,and if sombody was a high risk inmate to where he had to be hand cuffed to the chair ,,he wouldnt be allowed out of the hole

Answer 2

In CA, there is a hair length rule.  Their hair can't be so long, matted, etc that weapons can be hidden.

There are barbers who are trained and give haircuts.  No the inmates are not cuffed.  Inmates tend to behave when it comes to things like work.. because they don't want that privilege to be taken away.

Yes, disposable razors are handed out for shaving and then collected.  The inmates are not allowed to keep them.  Of course, sometimes one slips thru the cracks and is used in a weapon.

You'd be surprised at what liberties inmates have- even in maximum security prisons.  It's disgusting!

Answer 3

If you notice, most inmates do NOT have beards.  Why?  Because they are provided with plastic razors for one time use.  They are required to shave in a designated area and return the razor... including the blade.

As for haircuts, there is a barber shop.  The men with the shaved heads get an electric shave type of haircut and the others just get a regular haircut.  The Barbers are usually inmates with skills in cosmetology.  The ladies also have access to hair color and permanents but for a nominal fee.

As for discipline or high power inmates, if they pose too much of a security risk, they will forgo any grooming privileges.  And it would not be out of the ordinary for an inmate to be handcuffed to a chair for safety/security reasons.

This is in CA.  And the ACLU and basic common decency is what secures the grooming privileges for inmates.

Answer 4

All prisoners have the option to get their hair cut. When in prison, the inmates are (obviously) closely observed. Depending on there behavior, they're given jobs. One of those jobs happens to be a barber. So, depending on how well an inmate behaves, he (or she) could become the prison barber.