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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

USP Canaan

Rules dated December 22, 2025 (1 year old)

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

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.