A female prison lawyer has sparked debate after prison bosses hauled her into a room and deemed her smart grey two-piece suit and high heels ‘inappropriate’ to wear while visiting male inmates.
The blonde-haired lawyer, posting to a now deleted X account, @thesecretbrief, described how she had chosen her fitted outfit thinking she looked ‘smart and professional’, but was left aghast after being pulled aside.
On the now-deleted post she wrote: ‘When I set off early this morning I *thought* I looked smart & professional.
‘But oh no! I was called into a room at an HMP & told that staff had RADIOED through to others that my attire was inappropriate for a male prison
‘I’m in a fitted grey suit with a skirt that almost completely covers my knees.’
The blonde-haired lawyer, posting to a now deleted X account, @thesecretbrief, described how she had chosen her fitted outfit thinking she looked ‘smart and professional’, but was left aghast after being pulled aside
On her now-deleted X profile, the unidentified lawyer describes herself as an ‘experienced, proactive police station Defence lawyer’ and reveals she has appeared on BBC2 show, Forensics
On her X profile, which is no longer visible, the unidentified lawyer describes herself as an ‘experienced, proactive police station Defence lawyer’ and reveals that she has appeared on the BBC2 show, Forensics.
She also describes herself as ‘shoes obsessed’ and a ‘feminist’.
Many of her followers were quick to reference her treatment in light of a female prison officer who has been accused of having sex with an inmate at Wandsworth prison.
Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, has been charged with misconduct in a public office after an X-rated video of the alleged activity was shared on social media.
One X user jibed: ‘Judging by the last few days, even the staff uniform is inappropriate for a men’s prison! What did they want you to wear? Trackie bottoms and a t-shirt?’
Another wrote: ‘Given the many and varied challenges in the prison environment at present, this is what they chose to raise concerns over? Madness. You look very professional.’
While a third commented: ‘That’s the thing though. If that woman’s prison uniform was enough to drive that poor man wild, imagine what this *checks notes* perfectly normal business attire is going to do to them all.’
Another user, who is male, wrote: ‘I am no expert here but this looks like a very smart two piece business suit.
‘I would wear a two piece business suit on a prison visit. No observations ever made to me about dress code. I would seek clarification on this.’
One female follower felt she ‘shouldn’t’ have to change how the lawyer dresses, but it might help resolve the situation.
She wrote: ‘I think it’s a lovely outfit, but I would wear trousers and flats and have my hair pinned back, and no, you shouldn’t have to do that, and you shouldn’t have to hide your shape etc, but if that’s what they are asking and it stops them pulling you up for it.’
Another said it might have been better to leave the high heels behind for safety reasons.
They wrote: ‘I actually think the outfit looks smart, but for going to a male only prison I would wear wide legged casual grey suit trousers to match the suit jacket and change the heels for smart flat black Bally shoes or court heel.
‘They might have been thinking safety aspects.’
According to the official HM Prison and Probation service guidelines, ‘all visitors to prisons must adhere to a strict dress code.’
Among the banned items are ‘hats or scarves and head coverings which are not worn on religious grounds, inappropriately damaged clothing, non-prescription glasses ie sunglasses, see-through/ revealing clothing, items of clothing that display offensive abusive or insulting words or gestures an mini or very short skirts/dresses unless worn with leggings.’
Other items which may result in a visitor being turned away include ‘shorts which are shorter than mid-thigh to knee length, vsible or exposed underwear and smart watches.’
The guidelines add that the list is ‘not exhaustive’ and ‘establishments may add or remove items to this list, in accordance with what is deemed necessary and proportionate in that establishment.’
It adds: ‘It is up to prison staff to make decisions and judgements as to when clothing is inappropriate. When making these decisions, staff will always consider decency and diversity.
‘You may be asked to adjust clothing or wear alternative clothing if available. As a last resort your visit may be cancelled if the dress code cannot be followed.’
Prison officer Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, has been accused of having sex with an inmate at Wandsworth prison
De Sousa Abreu, 30, has been charged with misconduct in a public office after an X-rated video of the alleged activity was shared on social media
