Surviving
the Feds
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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

FMC Devens

Rules dated July 22, 2025 (1 year old)

Skirts and dresses Skirts, dresses and slits no higher than two inches above the knee.
Shorts No shorts of any kind; allowed for children only.
Colors to avoid No khaki, tan, or brown clothing resembling inmate attire. No gray clothing resembling inmate attire.
Leggings, spandex No spandex or hip-hugger pants/jeans. No skin-tight 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 camouflage clothing. No hospital scrubs or medical uniforms.
Shoes No open-toed shoes; feet must be enclosed. No thongs or sandals.
Children Children may wear shorts; infants may wear hats.
All 22 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Skirts, dresses and slits no higher than two inches above the knee.Skirts and dresses must be longer than two inches above the knee
  • No shorts of any kind; allowed for children only.Shorts (shorts are allowed for children only)
  • All garments must have sleeves; no vests or tank tops.Sleeveless garments of any kind (such as vests or tank tops)
  • No low-cut shirts or blouses; no V-necks.low cut shirts or blouses, wraparound skirts
  • No belly shirts exposing the abdomen.Belly shirts (abdomen exposed)
  • No see-through garments.See-through garments of any kind
  • No skin-tight clothing.Skin-tight clothing of any kind (including spandex)
  • No spandex or hip-hugger pants/jeans.Hip Hugger or spandex pants/jeans
  • No jogging or sweat suits.Jogging/sweat suits of any kind

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki, tan, or brown clothing resembling inmate attire.Khaki clothing (tan or like type the inmates wear)
  • No gray clothing resembling inmate attire.Articles of clothing which closely resemble inmate attire will not be permitted such as khaki, brown, or gray.
  • No camouflage clothing.Tee shirts, Jogging/Sweat suits, camouflage clothing and open toe shoes are not permitted.
  • No hospital scrubs or medical uniforms.Hospital scrubs or medical uniforms

Bras, underwear and metal

  • No excessive jewelry.above the knee . Excessive jewelry

Shoes

  • No open-toed shoes; feet must be enclosed.Open-toed shoes, thongs, or sandals (feet must be enclosed)
  • No thongs or sandals.No thong, open toe shoes or sandals allowed.

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats or caps except for infants.Hats or caps (except for infants)

Children

  • Children may wear shorts; infants may wear hats.Hats or caps (except for infants)

Everything else

  • No clothing with vulgar or offensive words or pictures.Articles of clothing displaying any wording or pictures deemed vulgar or offensive
  • No wraparound skirts, untucked shirts, sagging pants, camisoles as outerwear.Untucked shirts . Sagging pants/jeans

If they say no

  • Operations Lieutenant may terminate visits for improper dress.has the authority to terminate any visit due to improper dress,
  • Capris allowed only at knee length if inspecting official approves.(Capris are authorized at knee length and deemed appropriate by our inspecting official)

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.