Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Ashland
Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)
3 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts/dresses at least knee length seated; slits no higher than 2 inches above knee. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | No shorts; shorts allowed for children only. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki or tan clothing similar to inmate wear. No clothing similar to that worn by inmates. |
| Leggings, spandex | No leggings, jeggings, yoga pants, or Spandex/Lycra tight pants. No form-fitting or skin-tight pants, shirts, blouses or dresses. |
| Bras and metal | No metal underwire bras, regardless of age. Female visitors may not wear T-shirts or form-fitting clothes without bras. |
| Camouflage, military | No camouflage or military clothing. Class A military dress uniforms allowed for active duty personnel only. |
| Shoes | No open-toed shoes of any kind. |
| Children | Children may wear shorts; infants may wear hats. |
All 30 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts/dresses at least knee length seated; slits no higher than 2 inches above knee.
Skirts and dresses must be at least knee length when seated. Skirt and dresses with slits, the slit will not extend
- No shorts; shorts allowed for children only.
No shorts allowed (shorts are allowed for children only)
- No sleeveless garments of any kind, such as vests or tank tops.
Sleeveless gannents of any kind (such as vests or tank tops)
- No low-cut V-neck shirts; no portion of breasts exposed.
V-Neck Shirts (low-cut or backless)
- No belly shirts or clothing exposing the abdomen.
Belly shirts (abdomen exposed)
- No backless, strapless, or halter tops and dresses.
low-cut, backless, sleeveless, or strapless blouses and/or dresses; shorts; halter tops; swimwear; clothing which
- No see-through or fishnet clothing.
See-through gannents of any kind,
- No form-fitting or skin-tight pants, shirts, blouses or dresses.
Fonn-fitting or skin-tight pants/slacks/shirts/blouse/dress
- No leggings, jeggings, yoga pants, or Spandex/Lycra tight pants.
leggings, jeggings, Spandex/Lycra tight pants/jeans, etc.
- No ripped or torn jeans or pants.
Sagging pants/jeans (pants cannot be ripped or tom)
- No camisoles or swimwear worn as outerwear.
Camisoles or swimwear worn as outer wear
- No pajamas.
(no jeggings, leggings, yoga pants, pajamas, etc.)
- No jogging or sweat suits, including hooded sweatshirts.
Jogging/sweat suits of any kind to include hooded sweatshirts
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki or tan clothing similar to inmate wear.
Khaki clothing (tan or similar to the type the inmates wear)
- No clothing similar to that worn by inmates.
Any clothing similar to that worn by inmates is not
- No camouflage or military clothing.
Camouflage/military clothing with the exception of Class A Military Dress Unifonns - These are pennitted for
- Class A military dress uniforms allowed for active duty personnel only.
Camouflage/military clothing with the exception of Class A Military Dress Unifonns - These are pennitted for
Bras, underwear and metal
- Female visitors may not wear T-shirts or form-fitting clothes without bras.
wearing of T-shirts or other form-fitting clothes by female visitors without bras is prohibited.
- No metal underwire bras, regardless of age.
Metal underwire bras, regardless of the age of the person wearing it
Shoes
- No open-toed shoes of any kind.
Open toed shoes of any description
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats or caps, except for infants.
Hats or caps (except for infants)
- No hooded sweatshirts.
Jogging/sweat suits of any kind to include hooded sweatshirts
Children
- Children may wear shorts; infants may wear hats.
No shorts allowed (shorts are allowed for children only)
Everything else
- No vulgar or offensive wording or pictures; no club or gang symbols.
Articles of clothing displaying any wording or pictures deemed vulgar or offensive
- No club, gang, or other organization symbols.
Any type of club, gang, or other organization symbols
- No white T-shirts or T-shirts with logos of any kind.
White T-shirts or T-shirts with logos of any kind
- No hospital scrubs or medical uniforms.
Hospital Scrubs or medical unifonns
- No sagging pants or jeans.
Sagging pants/jeans (pants cannot be ripped or tom)
If they say no
- Immodestly or provocatively dressed visitors may be denied visiting.
Persons who come immodestly and/or provocatively dressed may be denied the privilege of visiting.
- Questionable attire decided by Operations Lieutenant or Institution Duty Officer.
Questionable attire will be clarified by the Operations Lieutenant and/or the Institution Duty Officer.
What almost every prison bans
- Short skirts and dresses (each prison sets its own length)
- Sleeveless tops
- See-through or mesh clothing
- Shorts (kids are often an exception)
- Hats (religious head coverings usually allowed)
- Khaki, or anything like the inmate uniform
- Open-toe shoes
- Backless, strapless or halter tops
- Tight or form-fitting clothing
- Sweatpants and sweatshirts
- Leggings and spandex
- Flip-flops and sandals
- Offensive words, gang colors or symbols
- Low-cut tops
- Camouflage
- Anything showing the stomach
An outfit that passes almost everywhere: jeans or slacks with no holes, a plain t-shirt with sleeves (no words, not khaki or green), closed-toe shoes, a sports bra, no hat.
From each prison's visiting rules on bop.gov, checked November 2, 2026. Turned away for something not in the rules? Tell Scooter.