Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Berlin
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 | 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
- 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.