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What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Forrest City Medium

Rules dated April 17, 2017 (9 years old)

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

Skirts and dresses Skirts below the knee standing and seated (0 inches above); slits not above knee.
Shorts No form-fitting shorts; other version bans shorts shorter than knee length.
Colors to avoid No khaki shirt-and-pant combination at Medium and Low components.
Leggings, spandex No stretch pants or Spandex for adult visitors. No form-fitting shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, pants, or shorts.
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 footwear. No flip flops.
Children Not in the written rules.
All 26 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Skirts below the knee standing and seated (0 inches above); slits not above knee.must be below the knee in a standing and seated
  • No form-fitting shorts; other version bans shorts shorter than knee length.No formfitting pants or shorts. To include
  • No sleeveless shirts or semi-short sleeve shirts.Sleeveless shirts may not be worn.
  • No tops or dresses revealing stomach, back, underarms, or thigh; no crop tops.No shirts, blouses, or dresses that reveal the
  • No tank tops, halter tops, or backless outfits.tank tops, halter tops, crop tops, etc. No semi-
  • No see-through material, including revealing lace.No clothing made from “see through” material;
  • No form-fitting shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, pants, or shorts.short sleeve shirts/blouses; no formfitting
  • No stretch pants or Spandex for adult visitors.stretch pants, Spandex for adult visitors.
  • No holes in clothing.including revealing lace, and holes in clothing.
  • No swim suits.(f) No swim suits
  • No pajama clothing.(r) No pajama clothing
  • No sweat suits, warm-up suits, or jogging suits.No sweat suits or hooded sweat shirts, i.e.

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki shirt-and-pant combination at Medium and Low components.At the Medium and Low components, no khaki or
  • No camouflage clothing.(h) No camouflage clothing

Shoes

  • No open-toe footwear.No open toe footwear, flip flops, etc.
  • No flip flops.No open toe footwear, flip flops, etc.

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats.No hats. Exceptions will be made for traditional
  • Traditional religious headwear allowed, e.g., kufi, yarmulke, tam.religious head wear, i.e., kufi, Yarmulkes, tam,
  • No hooded sweatshirts; sweaters must not have hoods.No sweat suits or hooded sweat shirts, i.e.
  • No jackets or coats; light sweater without hood or pockets allowed.No jackets or coats, no gloves or scarfs, a light

Everything else

  • No profanity or obscene clothing.No profanity or obscene clothing
  • No suggestive or revealing clothing; casual attire must be conservative.Absolutely no suggestive or revealing clothing will be
  • No athletic jerseys.warm-up suits, or jogging suit; no athletic jerseys
  • No sunglasses, gloves, scarves, or wrist watches.No jackets or coats, no gloves or scarfs, a light
  • No entirely white outfits at Medium and Low components (one version only).pant combination; no entirely white outfits.

If they say no

  • Admittance is at discretion of lobby, control, visiting officers, lieutenants, IDO.visitors is up to the discretion of the Front Lobby

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 us.