Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
USP Lee
Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)
8 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.
These rules contradict themselves. When two rules disagree, dress by the stricter one.
| Skirts and dresses | Shorts, skirts, dresses no more than 2 inches above knee, including slits. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Shorts no more than 2 inches above knee; business visitors no shorts. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki, tan, beige, brown, or light brown clothing. No grey sweat pants or shirts. |
| Leggings, spandex | No tight-fitting or stretch clothing. |
| Bras and metal | Underwire bras may set off detector and need removal. |
| Camouflage, military | Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home. |
| Shoes | No open-toe shoes. No flip-flop style shoes. |
| Children | Not in the written rules. |
All 23 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Shorts, skirts, dresses no more than 2 inches above knee, including slits.
more than two inches above the knee to include any slits in the
- Shorts no more than 2 inches above knee; business visitors no shorts.
setting. Shorts, skirts, and dresses will be at a maximum of no
- No tank tops or muscle shirts; shoulders must be covered.
No tank tops/muscle shirts - All shirts and blouses must
- No low-cut blouses.
No low-cut blouses
- No see-through clothing; revealing white clothing counts as see-through.
No see-through clothing (if white-colored clothing is
- No tight-fitting or stretch clothing.
No tight-fitting or stretch clothing
- No grey sweat pants or sweat shirts.
No grey colored sweat pants or shirts
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki, tan, beige, brown, or light brown clothing.
beige, khaki, or tan) will not be allowed to enter the visiting
- No grey sweat pants or shirts.
No grey colored sweat pants or shirts
Bras, underwear and metal
- Visitors 16+ must wear inner garment covering breast/chest; undergarments required.
to wear an inner garment covering the breast or chest area.
- Underwire bras may set off detector and need removal.
Undergarments containing metal (i.e. underwire bra)
- No watches of any kind.
No watches of any kind
Shoes
- No open-toe shoes.
Therefore, no open-toed shoes are
- No flip-flop style shoes.
No flip-flop style/open toe shoes
Hats, hoods and coats
- No ball caps, hats, bandanas, sweat bands, do rags, or scarves.
No ball caps, hats, bandanas, sweat bands, do rags, or
- Approved religious head gear allowed.
exception of approved religious head gear.
- No hooded shirts or jackets.
No hooded shirts or jackets
- No outerwear, jackets, or sweaters.
No outwear/jackets, sweaters, etc.
Everything else
- No wrap-around or button up/down skirts.
No button up/down skirts
- No sunglasses.
No watches of any kind, no sunglasses, no scarfs, no grey
- No suggestive, revealing, or provocative clothing.
Visitors are to refrain from wearing apparel which is revealing or suggestive.
If they say no
- Visitors may be denied entry for dress violations.
Visitors may be denied entry based on their dress attire.
- Denial decision cannot be delegated below Operations Lieutenant.
decision will not be delegated lower than the Operations
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.