Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
USP Canaan
Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts/dresses must not be above the knee (0 inches); no slits above knee. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | No shorts of any kind. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki, tan, or light brown clothing. No dark green clothing. No colors similar to inmate attire; no plain white t-shirts. |
| Leggings, spandex | No tights. |
| Bras and metal | No underwire bras; they set off the metal detector. Female visitors must wear a bra. |
| Camouflage, military | No camouflage material or fatigues. No military garments of any type. |
| Shoes | No open-toed, heeled, or platform shoes. No flip flops, sandals, or house slippers. |
| Children | Not in the written rules. |
All 26 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts/dresses must not be above the knee (0 inches); no slits above knee.
Skirts or dresses which are above the knee in length or have slits extending above the knee.
- No shorts of any kind.
e Shorts of any kind.
- Garments must cover the top of the shoulder; no tank tops.
Garments which do not cover the top of the shoulder
- No garments revealing upper torso, cleavage, or undergarments.
Garments which reveal portions of the upper torso, cleavage, and/or undergarments
- No midriff-baring tops.
cleavage, and/or undergarments (ex: halter tops, midriffs, etc..).
- No halter tops, tube tops, or spaghetti straps.
(ex: tank tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, etc..).
- No skin-toned garments or ones showing undergarment outlines.
Any garment which appears to be skin toned or allows the outline of the undergarments to be visible.
- No tights.
Athletic garments (ex: tights, sweat suits, jogging
- No clothing with rips, holes, or tears.
Any clothing with rips, holes, or tears.
- No athletic garments like sweat suits or jogging suits.
Athletic garments (ex: tights, sweat suits, jogging suits, sports jerseys, etc..).
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki, tan, or light brown clothing.
Any clothing items of the following colors, khaki, tan, light brown, dark green,
- No dark green clothing.
tan, light brown, dark green, or any similar color to inmate attire.
- No colors similar to inmate attire; no plain white t-shirts.
or any similar color to inmate attire.
- No camouflage material or fatigues.
Camouflage material or fatigues or any type of
- No military garments of any type.
Camouflage material or fatigues or any type of military garments.
Bras, underwear and metal
- Female visitors must wear a bra.
Female visitors will be required to wear a bra.
- No underwire bras; they set off the metal detector.
wire undergarments are not acceptable, as this will activate the metal detector.
- No watches of any kind.
e Watches of any kind, wrist, pocket, etc.
Shoes
- No open-toed, heeled, or platform shoes.
Flip flops, sandals, house slippers, open-toed shoes, heeled type shoes, or platform soled shoes
- No flip flops, sandals, or house slippers.
Flip flops, sandals, house slippers, open-toed
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats or scarves.
e Hats, scarves, heavy outer coats.
- No hooded jackets, sweatshirts, or any hooded clothing.
Hooded jackets, sweatshirts, or any clothing with a hood.
- No heavy outer coats, long coats, or puffy jackets; jackets go on rack.
Long coats (ex: trench coats), or overly large, puffy jackets will not be permitted into the visiting room.
Everything else
- No sports jerseys.
suits, sports jerseys, etc..).
- No hospital scrubs or hospital type clothing.
Hospital scrubs or hospital type clothing.
If they say no
- List not all-inclusive; Operations Lieutenant or IDO decides questionable attire.
The above list is not all inclusive. Any attire deemed questionable may prevent visitors from entering the institution.
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.