Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FDC Houston
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts/dresses no shorter than one inch above the knee; no high splits. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Adult visitors may not wear shorts. |
| Colors to avoid | Adults and children: no khaki clothing. No green military-type clothing. No orange clothing. No yellow clothing. |
| Leggings, spandex | No leotards or spandex. No extremely tight or form-fitting dresses or pants. |
| 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 green military or camouflage clothing. |
| Shoes | Only closed-toe, closed-back shoes; no Crocs-style shoes. |
| Children | Not in the written rules. |
All 22 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts/dresses no shorter than one inch above the knee; no high splits.
any skirt or dress shorter than one (1) inch above the knee, and/or any skirt or dress with a high cut split in the back or front or side.
- Adult visitors may not wear shorts.
Adult visitors will not be allowed to wear shorts or revealing sun dresses, halter tops, bathing suits,
- No sleeveless garments or tank tops.
any sleeveless garment, any skirt or dress shorter than one (1) inch above the knee,
- No low-cut blouses or dresses.
crop tops, low-cut blouses or dresses, leotards, sweatpants
- No crop tops.
crop tops, low-cut blouses or dresses, leotards, sweatpants
- No halter tops, backless tops, strapless garments or tube tops.
strapless garments, backless tops, tank tops, tube tops,
- No see-through garments of any type.
see- through garments of any type,
- No extremely tight or form-fitting dresses or pants.
extremely tight/form-fitting dresses/pants, miniskirts, backless tops, hats or caps,
- No leotards or spandex.
leotards, sweatpants or spandex,
- No bathing suits.
revealing sun dresses, halter tops, bathing suits,
- No sweatpants.
leotards, sweatpants or spandex,
Colors and uniforms
- Adults and children: no khaki clothing.
refrain from wearing any clothing similar to inmate clothing such as khaki, yellow, orange or green military (i.e., camouflage) colored clothing
- No green military-type clothing.
khaki or green military type clothing,
- No orange clothing.
such as khaki, yellow, orange or green military (i.e., camouflage) colored clothing
- No yellow clothing.
such as khaki, yellow, orange or green military (i.e., camouflage) colored clothing
- No green military or camouflage clothing.
green military (i.e., camouflage) colored clothing
Bras, underwear and metal
- No smart watches or Fitbit-style watches with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
Smart watches and Fitbit style watches with Wi-Fi or bluetooth capability are not authorized.
Shoes
- Only closed-toe, closed-back shoes; no Crocs-style shoes.
only closed-toed/closed back shoes will be allowed by social visitors in the Visiting Room.
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats or caps.
miniskirts, backless tops, hats or caps,
Everything else
- No sun dresses; no Crocs-style shoes.
and/or Croes style shoes.
If they say no
- Operations Lieutenant may deny entry for improper dress.
The Operations Lieutenant has the primary authority to deny an inmate visitor entry into the institution for reasons related to institution security such as improper dress
- Questionable clothing goes to Operations Lieutenant or IDO.
Clothing that is questionable will be brought to the attention of the Operations Lieutenant
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 Scooter.