Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
USP Coleman I
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
2 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.
| Skirts and dresses | Clothing must reach the knee while standing (0 inches above). |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Not in the written rules. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki clothing similar to inmate attire. No green clothing similar to inmate attire. |
| Leggings, spandex | No spandex. No overly tight-fitting clothes. |
| Bras and metal | Women should avoid underwire bras; may not clear metal detector. |
| Camouflage, military | No camouflage clothing. |
| Shoes | No open-toed shoes. |
| Children | Not in the written rules. |
All 19 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Clothing must reach the knee while standing (0 inches above).
must be at the knee while standing.
- No sleeveless tops.
sleeveless tops, overly tight fitting clothes,
- No plunging necklines.
plunging necklines, open toed shoes,
- No halter tops.
Halter tops, wrap- around skirts, spandex, caps, hats,
- No see-through garments.
See through garments, sleeveless tops, overly
- No overly tight-fitting clothes.
overly tight fitting clothes, plunging necklines, open toed shoes,
- No spandex.
spandex, caps, hats, and clothing with logos
- No bathing-suit type attire.
bathing-suit type attire will not be permitted.
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki clothing similar to inmate attire.
No khaki or green clothing similar to inmate attire
- No green clothing similar to inmate attire.
No khaki or green clothing similar to inmate attire
- No camouflage clothing.
camouflage clothing is to be worn by visitors inside the Visiting Room.
Bras, underwear and metal
- Women should avoid underwire bras; may not clear metal detector.
Women should avoid wearing underwire bras since they may not clear the metal detector.
Shoes
- No open-toed shoes.
Open toed shoes are not permitted.
Hats, hoods and coats
- No caps or hats.
caps, hats, and clothing with logos
Everything else
- No clothing with logos that may indicate gang affiliation.
clothing with logos that may indicate gang affiliation
- No wrap-around skirts.
wrap- around skirts,
- No garments exposing private parts of the body.
or garments that expose private parts of the body will not be permitted
If they say no
- Provocative attire by men or women is reason to deny visiting.
Provocative attire worn by men or women is reason to deny visiting.
- Operations Lieutenant decides whether visitor is appropriately dressed.
The Operations Lieutenant will proceed to the Front Lobby area and determine whether the visitor is dressed appropriately.
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 us.