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What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Big Spring

Rules dated December 21, 2022 (4 years old)

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

Skirts and dresses Shorts/skirts not 2 inches or more above knee, standing or sitting.
Shorts No athletic shorts; other shorts must meet the 2-inch length rule.
Colors to avoid No khaki-colored clothing for visitors age 10 and up.
Leggings, spandex No Lycra or spandex clothing. No tight or form-fitting clothing.
Bras and metal No underwire bras, body piercings or metal that sets off detector.
Camouflage, military No camouflage clothing for visitors age 10 and up.
Shoes No open-toed shoes. No shower shoes or flip-flops.
Children Clothing list applies to children 4 and over; colors to age 10+.
All 25 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Shorts/skirts not 2 inches or more above knee, standing or sitting.Shorts or skirts may not be worn when they are 2" inches above the knees when standing or sitting;
  • No athletic shorts; other shorts must meet the 2-inch length rule.Athletic shorts/sweat pants (cloth material)/wind suits; Athletic Jerseys
  • No sleeveless shirts, blouses or dresses, and no tank tops.Sleeveless, strapless or bareback shirts, blouses, or dresses;
  • No deep V-neck blouses, shirts or dresses.Deep v-neck blouses, shirts or dresses;
  • No midriff shirts; shirts tucked in or belted for ages 4+.Halter tops or midriff shirts. Shirts will be tucked in or belted for all visitors ages 4 and over;
  • No strapless or bareback tops/dresses, no halter tops.Sleeveless, strapless or bareback shirts, blouses, or dresses;
  • No see-through clothing, even over another shirt; no fishnet.Tight, form-fitting or see through clothing. This includes see through shirts with a shirt underneath;
  • No tight or form-fitting clothing.Tight, form-fitting or see through clothing. This includes see through shirts with a shirt underneath;
  • No Lycra or spandex clothing.Lycra or spandex clothing;
  • No swimwear.material)/wind suits , At hl etic Jerseys , swimwear , slippers , or
  • No slippers.material)/wind suits , At hl etic Jerseys , swimwear , slippers , or
  • No athletic shorts, sweat pants, wind suits, or athletic jerseys.Athletic shorts/sweat pants (cloth material)/wind suits; Athletic Jerseys

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki-colored clothing for visitors age 10 and up.Any clothing Khaki or Camouflage in color for visitors age IO and up;
  • No camouflage clothing for visitors age 10 and up.Any clothing Khaki or Camouflage in color for visitors age IO and up;

Bras, underwear and metal

  • No underwire bras, body piercings or metal that sets off detector.body piercing , excess metal on clothing, and under wires in bras

Shoes

  • No open-toed shoes.Shower shoes, "flip-flop" type shoes, or any o pen toed shoes;
  • No shower shoes or flip-flops.Shower shoes, "flip-flop" type shoes, or any o pen toed shoes;

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No caps, hats, or scarves of any kind.Caps, hats, and scarves of any kind;
  • No coats, sweaters or jackets with hoods attached.Long coats, sweaters and jackets that have hoods attached or extend below the knee;
  • No long coats/jackets below knee; jacket can't cover banned shirt.A jacket cannot cover up an unauthorized shirt;

Children

  • Clothing list applies to children 4 and over; colors to age 10+.CLOTHING NOT AUTHORIZED (TO INCLUDE CHILDREN AGES 4 AND OVER}:

Everything else

  • No gang symbols or sexual/offensive language on clothing.Clothing of any type which would symbolize c lub or gang activity or gang affiliation;
  • No miniskirts, wrap-around skirts, or skirts with long slits.Dresses, skirts, or mini-skirts with long slits in the middle or s ide;
  • No revealing, immodest or provocative clothing.Persons who dress immodestly or provocatively may be

If they say no

  • Improperly dressed visitors may be denied or have visit terminated.Operations Li eutena n t and/or IDO to determine whether to deny or

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.