Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FMC Devens
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
| 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
- 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.