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What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Ashland

Rules dated October 12, 2023 (3 years old)

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

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.