Surviving
the Feds
¿Hablas español? Toca aquí

Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

MDC Brooklyn

Rules dated May 2, 2017 (9 years old)

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

Skirts and dresses Skirts, dresses, shorts and slits no more than three inches above the knee.
Shorts Not in the written rules.
Colors to avoid No khaki, tan, or beige clothing.
Leggings, spandex No lycra, spandex, yoga pants or jeggings. No tight-fitting clothing.
Bras and metal Not in the written rules. Some prisons ban underwire bras anyway, and the penalty can be more than being sent home. Wear a sports bra or a bra with no wire.
Camouflage, military No military clothing unless visitor has military identification.
Shoes Shoes must be closed-toe with at least a heel strap; no wheeled shoes. No sandals.
Children Not in the written rules.
All 22 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Skirts, dresses, shorts and slits no more than three inches above the knee.Skirts or dresses or shorts must be no shorter than three inches above the knee.
  • No sleeveless tops/dresses unless covered by sleeved sweater or jacket all visit.No sleeveless clothing, to include tops, dresses, or blouses, unless covered by a sweater/cardigan, suit jacket or blazer,
  • No low-cut revealing clothing.or low cut (revealing) clothing.
  • No midriff-baring clothing.No swim wear, tube tops, midriffs, or low cut
  • No tube tops.No swim wear, tube tops, midriffs,
  • No see-through clothing or clothing that shows undergarments.Clothing must not be see-through or reveal any undergarments.
  • No tight-fitting clothing.No lycra or spandex or tight fitting clothing
  • No lycra, spandex, yoga pants or jeggings.No lycra or spandex or tight fitting clothing to include yoga pants and jeggings.
  • No shirts or pants with holes.No shirts or pants with holes.
  • No swimwear.No swim wear, tube tops, midriffs, or low cut (revealing) clothing.
  • No sweatpants.No sweatpants or hooded shirts.

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki, tan, or beige clothing.No military without identification, khaki, tan, or beige clothing.
  • No military clothing unless visitor has military identification.No military without identification, khaki, tan, or beige clothing.

Bras, underwear and metal

  • All visitors must wear proper undergarments.All visitors are expected to wear proper undergarments.

Shoes

  • Shoes must be closed-toe with at least a heel strap; no wheeled shoes.No open toe shoes or sandals and no wheeled shoes.
  • No sandals.No open toe shoes or sandals

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats, visors, scarves (incl. neck/waist), sunglasses, or long hair picks.No hats, visors, scarves, sunglasses, or long hair picks.
  • Religious headwear (yarmulkes, turbans, kufis, shawls, wraps) allowed after screening.Headwear worn for religious purposes (yarmulkes, turbans, kufis, prayer shawls and any other religious clothing or wraps used to cover the face and/or hair) is authorized
  • No hooded shirts.No sweatpants or hooded shirts.
  • No overcoats, raincoats, parkas, winter coats or puffy vests; blazers/cardigans OK.Visitors are not permitted to wear overcoats, rain coats, parkas, winter coats, or puffy vests into the institution.

Everything else

  • No provocative, revealing or offensive clothing (profanity, nudity, disparaging remarks).Clothing cannot be provocative, revealing, or offensive (containing profanity, nudity, or disparaging remarks)

If they say no

  • Operations Lieutenant or Duty Officer decides on questionable attire.The Operations Lieutenant or Duty Officer will be contacted regarding any questionable inmate visitor attire,

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.