Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FPC Bryan
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts/dresses/shorts no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Shorts allowed, but no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki clothing resembling inmate issue. |
| Leggings, spandex | No spandex pants, leggings, tights, leotards or jeggings. |
| 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 camouflage of any color. No military/tactical BDU clothing; military dress uniform allowed with ID. |
| Shoes | No flip-flops, shower shoes or crocs. |
| Children | Attire for children under 10 at Visitation Officer's discretion. |
All 25 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts/dresses/shorts no shorter than 2 inches above the knee.
9. Skirts/shorts/dresses two or more inches above the knee
- Shorts allowed, but no shorter than 2 inches above the knee.
Shorts will be allowed; however, shorts, skirts and dresses must be no shorter than 2" above the knee,
- No tank tops.
11. Strapless/halter tops/tank tops
- No crop tops.
5. Crop tops
- No backless, strapless or halter tops.
11. Strapless/halter tops/tank tops
- No transparent garments.
14. Transparent garments of any kind
- No spandex pants, leggings, tights, leotards or jeggings.
10. Spandex pants, leggings, tights, leotards, or jeggings
- No jeans or shirts with holes.
18. Jeans/shirts with holes
- No bathing suits.
3. Bathing suits
- No sweatpants, sweatshirts, jogging or athletic pants.
13. Sweatpants/sweatshirts/jogging pants or athletic type pants
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki clothing resembling inmate issue.
4. Clothing resembling that issued to inmate (khaki)
- No camouflage of any color.
16. Camouflage clothing of any color, military / tactical BDU style clothing
- No military/tactical BDU clothing; military dress uniform allowed with ID.
Military personnel may wear their dress uniform but must provide a valid military identification card for admittance.
Shoes
- No flip-flops, shower shoes or crocs.
6. Flip-flop style beach shoes, shower shoes, or crocks
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats, caps or scarves.
7. Hats. caps, scarfs
- No hooded shirts, jackets or sweaters.
8. Hooded shirts/jackets/sweaters
Children
- Attire for children under 10 at Visitation Officer's discretion.
Attire for minors under the age of 10 will be at the discretion of the Visitation Officer.
Everything else
- No controversial, gang, drug-related, profane or obscene designs or wording.
Shirts that depict designs, images or wording that is controversial and/or
- Heels no higher than 3 inches.
1. 3° max spike heels
- No sun dresses.
12. Sun dresses
- No wrap-around skirts, shirts or dresses.
15. Wrap around skirts, shirts. or dresses
- No clothing resembling staff uniforms.
17. Clothing that resembles staff uniforms
- No sexually suggestive or revealing clothing.
Clothing which is sexually suggestive or revealing is prohibited.
- No bare feet except infants; street footwear required.
No bare fect will be allowed except for infants.
If they say no
- Visitors violating dress code may be denied visitation.
Visitors failing to follow the dress code may be denied visitation
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.