Surviving
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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Edgefield

Rules dated April 22, 2024 (2 years old)

2 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.

Skirts and dresses Dresses, including slits, no shorter than bend of knee (0 inches above).
Shorts Shorts allowed but must reach the bend of the knee.
Colors to avoid No khaki-colored clothing when visiting the FCI. No olive drab clothing when visiting the camp.
Leggings, spandex No spandex or leggings. No suggestive or revealing apparel, e.g., skin-tight clothing.
Bras and metal Women should avoid underwire bras; they may not clear the detector.
Camouflage, military No camouflage clothing.
Shoes No open-toe shoes. No slides.
Children Not in the written rules.
All 25 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Dresses, including slits, no shorter than bend of knee (0 inches above).knee . The length of a dress will not be shorter than
  • Shorts allowed but must reach the bend of the knee.Shorts must be no higher than above the bend of the
  • No tank tops or sleeveless clothing.tops , halter tops , crop tops , sleeveless clothing ,
  • No low-cut (e.g., V-neck) shirts or dresses.low cut (e . g. , V- neck) shirt s or dresses , see -
  • No crop tops.tops , halter tops , crop tops , sleeveless clothing ,
  • No tube tops, halter tops, or backless clothing.tops , halter tops , crop tops , sleeveless clothing ,
  • No see-through or mesh clothing.through clothing , spandex , leggings , tube t ops , tank
  • No suggestive or revealing apparel, e.g., skin-tight clothing.revealing nature (e.g ., skin-tight clothing) .
  • No spandex or leggings.through clothing , spandex , leggings , tube t ops , tank
  • No swimsuits.backless clothing , swimsuits , sweat su i ts , hoodies ,
  • No sweat suits.backless clothing , swimsuits , sweat su i ts , hoodies ,

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki-colored clothing when visiting the FCI.colored clothing (when visiting the FCI) , olive drab
  • No olive drab clothing when visiting the camp.colored clothing (when visiting the FCI) , olive drab
  • No camouflage clothing.Prohibited Items: camouflage clothing , khaki

Bras, underwear and metal

  • Women should avoid underwire bras; they may not clear the detector.wearing under - wire bras since they may not clear the

Shoes

  • No open-toe shoes.mesh clothing , break away pants , open toe shoes ,
  • No slides.slides , clothing with logos that may indicate gang

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats, bandanas, or scarves.turban , hijab) , hats , bandanas and/or scarfs are not
  • Religious headgear allowed, e.g., kufi, headbands, turban, hijab.Except for religious headgear (e . g . kufi , headbands ,
  • No hoodies.backless clothing , swimsuits , sweat su i ts , hoodies ,

Everything else

  • No clothing with logos that may indicate gang affiliation.slides , clothing with logos that may indicate gang
  • No break-away pants.mesh clothing , break away pants , open toe shoes ,
  • No wrist watches, timepieces, or electronic devices.Wrist watches, timepieces or electronic devices of

If they say no

  • Lieutenant or Duty Officer must be consulted before denying entry for attire.consulted prior to denying a visitor entry into the
  • Front Lobby/Visitation Officer ensures visitors are appropriately dressed.ensure all visitors are appropriately dressed .

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.