Surviving
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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

USP Florence - High

Rules dated September 19, 2013 (13 years old)

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

Skirts and dresses Dresses (and slits) must reach the back-of-knee break (0 inches above).
Shorts Shorts/capris no more than 2 inches above the kneecap.
Colors to avoid No khaki-colored clothing.
Leggings, spandex 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.
Shoes No open-toe shoes.
Children Not in the written rules.
All 24 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Dresses (and slits) must reach the back-of-knee break (0 inches above).the length of the dress will not be shorter than the natural break of the wearers’ leg, at the back of the knee.
  • Shorts/capris no more than 2 inches above the kneecap.shorts or Capri style pants whose length is more than 2 inches above the knee cap.
  • No sleeveless, tank tops or cap sleeves.sleeveless, see-through clothing, tube tops, tank tops, halter
  • No low-cut (e.g., V-neck) shirts or dresses.Low cut (e.g., V-neck) shirts or dresses,
  • No crop tops.crop tops, cap sleeves,
  • No tube, halter tops or backless clothing.tube tops, tank tops, halter tops, crop tops, cap sleeves, backless clothing,
  • No see-through clothing.see-through clothing, tube tops,
  • No skin-tight clothing.(e.g., skin-tight clothing, etc.) are not permitted.
  • No swim suits.backless clothing, swim suits, sweat suits,
  • No sweat suits or break-away pants.swim suits, sweat suits, break away pants,

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki-colored clothing.khaki colored clothing, hospital scrubs,
  • No camouflage clothing.visitors are prohibited against wearing camouflage clothing, khaki colored clothing,

Bras, underwear and metal

  • No excessive jewelry.Sundresses, jackets, overcoats and excessive jewelry are not permitted.

Shoes

  • No open-toe shoes.away pants, open toe shoes,

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats, bandanas or scarves.hats, bandanas and/or scarfs will not be worn during visits.
  • Religious headgear is allowed.With the exception of religious headgear,
  • No jackets or overcoats.Sundresses, jackets, overcoats and excessive jewelry are not permitted.

Everything else

  • No gang-related attire or fashions, including sagging pants.No gang related attire or fashions will be allowed in the visiting room, this includes sagging of the pants.
  • No hospital scrubs (inmates wear blue scrubs).khaki colored clothing, hospital scrubs,
  • No sundresses.Sundresses, jackets, overcoats
  • Attire must suit a courtroom: conservative and professional.The attire worn must be appropriate for a court room environment (i.e. conservative and professional).
  • Excessively long shirts must be tucked in.Shirts must also be tucked in if deemed excessively long.

If they say no

  • Provocative or scantily clad attire is reason to deny visiting.Excessively provocative or scantily clad attire is reason to deny and/or preclude visiting.
  • Operations Lieutenant makes final determination.The Front Lobby Officer will contact the Operations Lieutenant if a final determination is needed.

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.