@JLeslie, Since this is your thread and you asked me a question, I’ll go ahead and answer it here.
Yes, prisoners wear “uniforms”, and it’s much stricter in jails. I was speaking of actual prisons. They can wear their t-shirts around their heads and tie them; the front of the uniform doesn’t have to be buttoned and can even be worn off the shoulders (basically around the waist for jumpsuits); there are some places that still allow street clothes, and some that allow street clothes for those on the honor system (Richard Matt and David Sweat wore street clothes and the honor block has since been shut down in that prison).
Institutional styles have inspired many street styles – low rider pants came into vogue from prisons where they weren’t allowed belts. There are certain things you can wear, or wear them a certain way that signifies which gang you’re a member of. It’s an all-round “fuck you” to the guards and system. Clothing is symbolic, it shows the world an entire attitude. The vast majority if us know what’s appropriate and not, but there are many who don’t give a shit about anything and it shows in their dress.
It’s not so much the uniform, it’s how they’re allowed to wear them. Look at Russian prisons, for example – every button must be closed, shoes shined, collar up and folded, and woe be to those who slouch in posture or get a step out of line.
Psychologists and other medical professionals even use how you dress as a barometer of mental health.
It may be annoying and you may think they’re being judged harshly, but hygiene is usually the first thing that goes when a person has a serious mental illness. The medical/ psychology community is simply questioning the same kinds of things your doctor would ask you about if they saw bruises around your throat or if your demeanor was excessively fearful.
I didn’t mean to go off on a spiral, but I strongly feel that appearance matters and often dictates how you will act. (I also feel there would be better grades and fewer fights and problems in schools if kids were required to wear uniforms, at least until high school. There’s plenty of time to display your individuality and love of expensive clothes/shoes outside of school hours) I would have edited this for length if I weren’t almost out the door.