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What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Englewood

Rules dated May 24, 2021 (5 years old)

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

These rules contradict themselves. When two rules disagree, dress by the stricter one.

Skirts and dresses Dresses (and slits) must reach back of knee: 0 inches above.
Shorts Shorts no higher than three inches above the knee.
Colors to avoid No solid khaki clothing. No solid green clothing. No orange clothing. No grey clothing or grey sweat suits. No solid white or brown; nothing resembling staff or inmate uniforms.
Leggings, spandex No spandex, tights, yoga pants, or leggings. No skin-tight or figure hugging 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 of any color. No military/tactical BDU style clothing.
Shoes Shoes required, closed toe with a backing; heels max two inches. No flip flops, sandals, or Croc style footwear.
Children No exceptions: children follow the same restrictions, including footwear.
All 32 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Dresses (and slits) must reach back of knee: 0 inches above.the length of the dress will not be shorter than the natural break of the wearer's leg, at the back of the knee.
  • Shorts no higher than three inches above the knee.Shorts must be no higher than three inches above the
  • No tank tops or cap sleeves.see-through/mesh clothing, tube tops, tank tops,
  • No low-cut or V-neck tops; necklines within two inches of neck base.Necklines must be within two inches of the notch/base of the neck.
  • No crop tops.tops, halter tops, crop tops, cap sleeves, backless
  • No tube tops, halter tops, or backless clothing.tops, halter tops, crop tops, cap sleeves, backless
  • No see-through or mesh clothing.includes; see-through/mesh clothing, tube tops, tank
  • No skin-tight or figure hugging clothing.revealing nature (e.g., skin-tight, figure hugging clothing, etc.).
  • No spandex, tights, yoga pants, or leggings.suits, break away pants, spandex, tights yoga pants, leggings,
  • No swim suits.clothing, and/or swim suits.
  • No pajamas.leggings, pajamas or any apparel of a suggestive or
  • No sweat suits or break away pants.No sweat suits, break away pants, spandex, tights yoga pants,

Colors and uniforms

  • No solid khaki clothing.solid khaki, green, white, orange , grey, or brown colored clothing.
  • No solid green clothing.solid khaki, green, white, orange , grey, or brown colored clothing.
  • No orange clothing.solid khaki, green, white, orange , grey, or brown colored clothing.
  • No grey clothing or grey sweat suits.solid khaki, green, white, orange , grey, or brown colored clothing. No grey sweat
  • No solid white or brown; nothing resembling staff or inmate uniforms.that resembles staff or inmate uniforms.
  • No camouflage clothing of any color.Visitors are prohibited from wearing camouflage clothing (of any color),
  • No military/tactical BDU style clothing.suits, military/tactical BDU style or any clothing

Bras, underwear and metal

  • Appropriate undergarments required and must not be visible.Appropriate undergarments are required and should not be visible.
  • No watches or sports bands; jewelry kept to a minimum.Jewelry must be kept to a minimum.

Shoes

  • Shoes required, closed toe with a backing; heels max two inches.Shoes must be closed toe and have a backing.
  • No flip flops, sandals, or Croc style footwear.No flip flops, sandals or "Croc" style footwear of any kind will be allowed.

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hoodies (Attachment A).ba c k_ess c l othing, hoodies, spo rts
  • No inclement weather attire in the visiting area.Inclement weather attire will not be permitted within the visiting area.

Children

  • No exceptions: children follow the same restrictions, including footwear.Children are expected to be dressed with the same restrictions as adults.

Everything else

  • No shirts with objectionable, gang, profane, obscene, or drug/alcohol images.which depicts the following: controversial and/or objectionable, gang related, profanity, obscene and/or inappropriate, drug and/or alcohol related.
  • No sports jerseys.Sports Jersey's will not be permitted.
  • No clothing with jewels or beading that trips metal detector.Clothing with excessive detail (jewels, beading, etc ... ) that interferes with the metal detector will not be permitted.
  • No sundresses.Sundresses are not permitted.

If they say no

  • Visits may be denied for noncompliance or provocative attire.Visits may be denied by the Duty Officer or Operations Lieutenant for noncompliance.
  • Questionable attire referred to Operations Lieutenant.Any attire in question will be referred to the Operations Lieutenant for

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.