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What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Greenville

Rules dated 10/01/2024 (2 years old)

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

Skirts and dresses No miniskirts; dresses must not be above the knee while seated (0 inches).
Shorts No shorts.
Colors to avoid No tan or khaki clothing. No fluorescent orange clothing. No clothing resembling an inmate uniform.
Leggings, spandex No leggings. No form-fitting clothing or skinny jeans.
Bras and metal No underwire bras or metal clasps; sports bra suggested.
Camouflage, military No camouflage.
Shoes No open-toed shoes. No crocs.
Children Not in the written rules.
All 26 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • No miniskirts; dresses must not be above the knee while seated (0 inches).dresses (above the knee in length while seated),
  • No shorts.crocs, shorts, mini-
  • No sleeveless clothing.or sleeveless clothing,
  • No excessively short or low-cut clothing.excessively short or low-cut clothing, backless clothing,
  • No midriff shirts; shirts shouldn't rise when moving arms.mid-drift shirts, (shirts should not rise up if move your hands/arms)
  • No backless clothing or halter tops.backless clothing, halter tops, mid-drift shirts,
  • No sheer clothing.sheer or form fitting clothing (Specifically: No
  • No form-fitting clothing or skinny jeans.form fitting clothing (Specifically: No skinny jeans, or leggings)
  • No leggings.skinny jeans, or leggings)
  • No pants with holes.to include pants with holes,

Colors and uniforms

  • No tan or khaki clothing.camouflage, tan, khaki, fluorescent orange in color
  • No fluorescent orange clothing.fluorescent orange in color or anyway resembles an inmate uniform.
  • No clothing resembling an inmate uniform.or anyway resembles an inmate uniform.
  • No camouflage.any clothing that is camouflage, tan, khaki, fluorescent orange in color

Bras, underwear and metal

  • No underwire bras or metal clasps; sports bra suggested.underwire bras or bras with metal clasps(sports bra would be the most suitable option),
  • No excessive jewelry.No excessive jewelry.

Shoes

  • No open-toed shoes.Open-toed shoes, crocs, shorts, mini-
  • No crocs.Open-toed shoes, crocs,

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No ball caps, hats, bandanas, sweatbands, do-rags or other headgear.ball caps, hats, bandanas, sweatbands, “do-rags”, or any other type of headgear
  • Religious or medical headgear allowed.with the exception of religious or medical headgear,

Everything else

  • No offensive logos or wording.logos or wording on clothing that may be considered offensive,
  • No heeled footwear or platform soles (stilettos, pumps, wedges).heeled footwear or platform type soles (stiletto heels, pumps, wedges,)
  • No bare feet except babies.Excluding babies, no bare feet will be permitted.
  • No culottes.halter-tops, shorts, mini-skirts, culottes,

If they say no

  • Inappropriately dressed visitors should not get through to the Visiting Room.Visitors, who are inappropriately dressed, should not be allowed to make it all the way through to the Visiting Room.
  • Officer contacts IDO, who decides whether to deny or terminate.contact the Institution Duty Officer (IDO) to determine whether to deny or terminate the visit.

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.