Surviving
the Feds
¿Hablas español? Toca aquí

Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Berlin

Rules dated 3/2/2023 (3 years old)

3 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.

Skirts and dresses Dresses/skirts at least knee length (0 inches above knee); no slit above knee.
Shorts No shorts unless worn by a child under 12.
Colors to avoid No khaki clothing (FCI inmate color). No orange clothing. No gray clothing. No dark brown clothing (camp inmate color) or inmate-like style/color.
Leggings, spandex No spandex-style clothing. No form-fitting clothing.
Bras and metal No undergarments containing metal, such as underwire bras.
Camouflage, military No camouflage clothing.
Shoes No open-toed shoes or strapless heels; shoes must strap to foot. No flip-flops, shower shoes, or slipper-type shoes.
Children Children under 12 may wear shorts.
All 31 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Dresses/skirts at least knee length (0 inches above knee); no slit above knee.skirts must be no shorter then knee length, and may not have
  • No shorts unless worn by a child under 12.Shorts(unless on a child under the age of 12)
  • No tank tops.5. Tank tops
  • No items revealing buttocks, groin, or female chest area.Items revealing any part of the buttocks or groin
  • No midriff tops.7. Midriff tops
  • No halter tops.6. Halter tops
  • No strapless tops or strapless dresses.8. Strapless tops
  • No sheer or see-through clothing.Sheer clothing or see through clothing
  • No form-fitting clothing.No form fitting clothing.
  • No spandex-style clothing.10. Spandex style
  • No ripped clothing exposing skin.Ripped clothing exposing skin
  • No sweat suits, athletic wear, or sweatpants.Sweat suits or Athletic wear or sweatpants

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki clothing (FCI inmate color).Khaki, dark brown, orange, and gray (any clothing)
  • No orange clothing.Khaki, dark brown, orange, and gray (any clothing)
  • No gray clothing.Khaki, dark brown, orange, and gray (any clothing)
  • No dark brown clothing (camp inmate color) or inmate-like style/color.clothing at the FCI or dark brown clothing at the SPC) is not
  • No camouflage clothing.13. Camouflage clothing

Bras, underwear and metal

  • No undergarments containing metal, such as underwire bras.also refrain from wearing undergarments containing metal

Shoes

  • No open-toed shoes or strapless heels; shoes must strap to foot.No open toed shoes and no strapless
  • No flip-flops, shower shoes, or slipper-type shoes.All shoes must be strapped to the foot. The following shoes

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats, caps, or scarves.Hats, caps, scarfs
  • No hooded shirts, jackets, or sweaters.Hooded shirts, hooded jackets or jackets, sweaters or
  • No jackets or sweaters.Hooded shirts, hooded jackets or jackets, sweaters or

Children

  • Children under 12 may wear shorts.Shorts(unless on a child under the age of 12)

Everything else

  • No sexually suggestive/offensive writing or gang-related writing or logos.any clothing that contains sexually suggestive/offensive
  • No heels or wedges over one inch high.Heels and wedge like shoes over 1 (one) inch in height
  • No medical scrubs or clothing resembling staff uniforms.Medical Scrubs or clothing resembling staff uniforms
  • No bib overalls.11. Bib overalls
  • No watches or electronic wristbands.Watches or other electronic wristbands
  • No revealing or suggestive apparel.Visitors are to refrain from wearing apparel which is

If they say no

  • Inappropriately dressed visitors will be denied visiting.inappropriately dressed will be denied the privilege of

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.