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How Do Prisoners Get Haircuts?

In the structured and controlled environment of a prison, maintaining a sense of normalcy and routine can be challenging. For prisoners, one important aspect of personal care is haircuts. Haircuts in prison are not just about personal grooming; they also play a role in maintaining discipline, hygiene, and even mental health. While inmates are not free to visit a barbershop at will, there are various systems in place that allow prisoners to get their hair cut while incarcerated.

We explore the different ways prisoners can get haircuts in UK prisons, how these services are provided, the importance of maintaining a grooming routine, and the broader implications for the well-being of prisoners.

How to get a haircut in a UK prison

UK prisons have several ways of providing haircuts to inmates, depending on the institution, available resources, and the security level of the facility. While there may be variations from prison to prison, the most common methods for getting haircuts in prisons include:

Prison Barber Shops
Many UK prisons have an internal barbershop or hair salon where prisoners can get their hair cut. These facilities are usually run by other inmates who have received training in hairdressing or barbering. The prison authorities oversee these operations to ensure they meet hygiene and safety standards. In some cases, professional barbers from outside the prison may be brought in to provide haircuts, but this depends on the specific rules of each institution. Prison barbershops operate on a schedule, and prisoners can book appointments, though availability may be limited depending on the prison population and resources. Haircuts are typically provided at no cost to the prisoners, but in some cases, a nominal fee might be deducted from their "spends" account.

Prisoner Barbers
Inmates who show an interest in barbering or hairdressing are sometimes trained within the prison system to cut hair for their fellow inmates. These prisoner barbers may undergo formal training or take part in vocational programs that teach them the skills required for barbering, which can also serve as valuable work experience for when they are released. Prisoner barbers typically cut hair within the prison's designated barbershop or grooming area, but in some cases, they may cut hair on the prison wing or in communal spaces. This system helps foster a sense of responsibility and can give prisoners a useful trade to pursue after their sentence is served.

External Barbers
In certain prisons, especially higher-security ones where there are fewer internal resources, external barbers are brought in to provide haircuts to prisoners. These barbers are vetted by prison authorities to ensure they meet security and safety standards. They may visit the prison on a regular schedule, typically every few weeks, to provide haircuts to inmates who request them.
External barbers bring their own equipment, which is thoroughly checked by prison staff before entering the facility. The presence of external barbers ensures that prisoners receive haircuts from qualified professionals, but it also limits the frequency of haircuts due to logistical constraints.

DIY Haircuts
In some cases, inmates may opt for DIY (do-it-yourself) haircuts, either because they prefer to manage their own grooming or because they cannot access the prison barber at a convenient time. In such cases, prisoners may be provided with basic grooming tools, such as clippers or razors, to maintain their own hair. DIY haircuts, however, are more common in lower-security prisons where inmates have greater freedom of movement and access to personal grooming supplies. Higher-security facilities may restrict access to such tools due to safety concerns, as sharp objects like scissors and razors can pose a security risk.

Benefits of routine haircuts in prison

Maintaining a routine, especially in a place as restrictive as a prison, can have significant benefits for a prisoner's mental and physical health. Regular haircuts are a key part of this routine, and they offer several advantages for inmates.

Hygiene and Health
One of the primary reasons for providing haircuts in prison is hygiene. Regular haircuts help inmates maintain clean, healthy hair, which reduces the risk of lice, scalp infections, and other hygiene-related issues. In a communal living environment like a prison, poor hygiene can lead to the spread of infections and illness, so keeping up with grooming is essential for the well-being of all inmates. Additionally, haircuts can boost overall physical health by promoting cleanliness and reducing the accumulation of sweat, dirt, and oils on the scalp. For inmates who may not have regular access to showers or grooming supplies, a haircut can be an important step in maintaining personal cleanliness.

Mental Health and Well-being
Personal grooming, including haircuts, can have a positive impact on a prisoner’s mental health. Incarceration can be a dehumanizing experience, and regular haircuts help inmates maintain a sense of personal identity and self-esteem. Feeling clean and well-groomed can contribute to a prisoner’s overall sense of well-being and make the prison environment feel slightly more "normal."Maintaining a grooming routine provides prisoners with a sense of structure and normalcy, which is crucial in a setting where routine is often dictated by others. For many inmates, a haircut can be a rare opportunity for self-care, a way to break the monotony of daily life, and a chance to feel more like themselves.

Discipline and Responsibility
Offering vocational training in hairdressing or barbering within prisons can instill a sense of discipline and responsibility in prisoners. Those who participate in these programs not only learn valuable skills but also take on the responsibility of providing a service to their fellow inmates.
In this way, the simple act of cutting hair can become an opportunity for prisoners to develop a work ethic, learn to follow procedures, and take pride in their work. These experiences can be transformative for some inmates, helping them develop the skills and mindset needed to reintegrate into society upon release.

Social Interaction and Community
Getting a haircut in prison can also provide prisoners with an opportunity for social interaction. Barbershops within prisons often become informal hubs of communication, where inmates can catch up with each other, share news, or simply take a break from the isolation of prison life.
These interactions can foster a sense of community and help prisoners build relationships with each other, which is important for emotional well-being in an environment that can be isolating and stressful. The barber-client relationship, even in prison, can be a small but important part of fostering positive social connections.


Haircuts, though a seemingly small part of prison life, play a role in how prisoners interact with the prison system and the outside world. Grooming, including maintaining a neat haircut, is often required for court appearances, parole hearings, and meetings with family members. Looking presentable can make a significant difference in how prisoners are perceived by officials and loved ones, which can impact their treatment and chances of early release.

For some prisoners, particularly those nearing the end of their sentence, a haircut is a way to prepare for reintegration into society. Looking and feeling good can help boost a prisoner's confidence as they face the challenges of re-entering the outside world.

Can you request a special haircut?

In most UK prisons, prisoners are allowed to request specific types of haircuts, within reason. While high-fashion or overly elaborate hairstyles may not be permitted, inmates can ask for haircuts that align with their personal preferences or cultural and religious practices. For example, prisoners may be allowed to maintain beards or specific hairstyles as part of their religious or cultural identity.

However, these requests must comply with the prison’s rules and regulations, which are in place to maintain order and security. Any haircut that could be considered a safety risk or that violates prison policies will not be allowed.

Find out about haircut schedules in prison

Each prison has its own system for scheduling haircuts, and this information is typically made available to inmates through the prison staff or notice boards. Prisoners can book appointments through a process managed by the prison authorities, and haircuts are usually scheduled on specific days of the week.

In some prisons, inmates may have more flexibility in arranging haircuts, especially if there are trained prisoner barbers available on-site. However, in higher-security prisons, where external barbers are required, haircut schedules may be more rigid and less frequent.

While prisoners in the UK face a highly controlled environment, they are still able to maintain a degree of personal care through regular haircuts. Whether provided by trained prisoner barbers, external professionals, or through DIY grooming, haircuts play an important role in the health, hygiene, and mental well-being of inmates. Regular grooming routines help prisoners maintain a sense of dignity and personal identity, contributing to their overall rehabilitation.

Although prison life can strip away many freedoms, access to basic grooming services like haircuts ensures that inmates can take care of themselves and, in some cases, learn valuable skills that can aid in their reintegration into society. In the end, haircuts in prison are more than just a matter of appearance—they’re a small but meaningful part of an inmate’s journey toward rehabilitation and a life beyond the prison walls.