Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Herlong
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
These rules contradict themselves. When two rules disagree, dress by the stricter one.
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts/dresses must be longer than back of knee: 0 inches above. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | No shorts, except children under 8. |
| Colors to avoid | No clothing similar in color or style to inmate or staff uniforms. |
| Leggings, spandex | No spandex pants, body suits, skinny jeans, or leggings. No form-fitting or tight pants or skirts. |
| 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 | Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home. |
| Shoes | No open-toed shoes or heels higher than 1 inch. No flip flops, sandals, or slippers. |
| Children | Children under 8 may wear shorts. |
All 25 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts/dresses must be longer than back of knee: 0 inches above.
length MUST BE LONGER than the natural break of the leg at the back of the knee.
- No shorts, except children under 8.
Visitors are prohibited from wearing shorts (except children under 8) .
- Sleeves must reach mid-bicep; no sleeveless shirts or tank tops.
Shirts will have a sleeve that reaches the mid-bicep area,
- No low cut clothing.
no low cut or see-through clothing
- No bare midriffs.
no backless clothing, no bare midriffs, no swimsuits.
- No tube tops, spaghetti straps, or backless clothing.
no tube or tank tops, no sleeveless shirts or spaghetti straps, no backless clothing,
- No see-through clothing; skin or undergarments must not show.
(if skin or under garments can be seen through the garment, it is defined as "see-through")
- No form-fitting or tight pants or skirts.
or any other type of foDn fitting pants or skirts that could be considered suggestive or
- No spandex pants, body suits, skinny jeans, or leggings.
pajamas, spandex pants, body suits, skinny jeans; leggings,
- No ripped or designed tears/holes.
revealing in nature (e.g., tight clothing, ripped or designed tears/holes, etc.).
- No swimsuits.
no backless clothing, no bare midriffs, no swimsuits.
- No pajamas.
No sweat suits (pants, shirts/hoodies), pajamas, spandex
- No sweat suits, including sweat pants, shirts, or hoodies.
No sweat suits (pants, shirts/hoodies), pajamas, spandex
Colors and uniforms
- No clothing similar in color or style to inmate or staff uniforms.
Wearing clothing, which is similar in color or style to the inmate issued or staff uniforms is prohibited.
Shoes
- No open-toed shoes or heels higher than 1 inch.
Open-toed shoes, flip flops, sandals, slippers or footwear with a heel higher than 1" will not be allowed.
- No flip flops, sandals, or slippers.
Open-toed shoes, flip flops, sandals, slippers or footwear
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats.
hats may not be worn into visits.
- Religious headgear is allowed.
HEADGEAR - Except for religious headgear,
- No hoodies (as part of sweat suits).
No sweat suits (pants, shirts/hoodies), pajamas, spandex
Children
- Children under 8 may wear shorts.
shorts (except children under 8) .
Everything else
- No risky insignias/writing; no gang-related attire.
No gang-related attire or fashions will be allowed.
- Thigh/knee-high boots only under pants; never with skirts or dresses.
Thigh-high and knee- high boots will not be permitted unless worn under the pant leg
If they say no
- Provocative attire is reason to deny visiting.
Provocative attire is reason to deny and/or preclude visiting.
- Noncompliant visitors may change into appropriate attire before denial.
adhere to the visitor dress code will be given the opportunity to change into appropriate attire prior to being denied a visit.
- IDO/Operations Lieutenant may deny visits after review.
Visits may be denied by the IDO and/or Operations Lieutenant for non-compliance after review of the issue in question.
What almost every prison bans
- Short skirts and dresses (each prison sets its own length)
- Sleeveless tops
- See-through or mesh clothing
- Shorts (kids are often an exception)
- Hats (religious head coverings usually allowed)
- Khaki, or anything like the inmate uniform
- Open-toe shoes
- Backless, strapless or halter tops
- Tight or form-fitting clothing
- Sweatpants and sweatshirts
- Leggings and spandex
- Flip-flops and sandals
- Offensive words, gang colors or symbols
- Low-cut tops
- Camouflage
- Anything showing the stomach
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.