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What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Manchester

Rules dated December 20, 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 mini skirts or long splits; no inch limit given.
Shorts No shorts for anyone over age 12.
Colors to avoid No khaki clothing. No dark brown clothing.
Leggings, spandex No spandex/Lycra pants or shorts, yoga pants, jeggings, leggings. No excessively tight fitting clothing of any kind.
Bras and metal No items failing metal detector, including piercings and underwire bras.
Camouflage, military No camouflage clothing.
Shoes No open-toed shoes.
Children Children 12 and under may wear shorts.
All 22 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • No mini skirts or long splits; no inch limit given.Mini Skirts or Skirts/Dresses with long side or front splits
  • No shorts for anyone over age 12.Shorts (Male and female over age 12 years)
  • No sleeveless dresses or shirts.• Sleeveless Dresses/Shirts
  • No low cut shirts.• Low cut shirts
  • No halter tops/dresses or strapless dresses/shirts.Halter Tops or Halter Dresses
  • No excessively tight fitting clothing of any kind.Excessively tight fitting clothing of any kind
  • No spandex/Lycra pants or shorts, yoga pants, jeggings, leggings.Spandex/Lycra Pants or Shorts (yoga pants , jeggings , leggings)
  • No athletic attire: sweatpants, track, jogging or wind suits.Athletic Attire (sweatpants , "tracku or running pants , j ogging or wind suits)

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki clothing.Khaki or Dark Brown Clothing
  • No dark brown clothing.Khaki or Dark Brown Clothing
  • No camouflage clothing.• Camouflage Clothing

Bras, underwear and metal

  • No items failing metal detector, including piercings and underwire bras.excess metal on clothing , hair accessories & underwire bras
  • No watches; jewelry worn is allowed but none carried in.Jewelry Worn (No jewelry will be carried in)

Shoes

  • No open-toed shoes.• Open-toed shoes

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No bandanas, scarves, caps, or hats.Caps or Hats (with the exception of religious head wear)
  • Religious head wear is allowed.Caps or Hats (with the exception of religious head wear)
  • No shirts with hoods or hoodies.Shirts with Hoods/Hood i es
  • Sweater, light jacket, or coat allowed but removed in visiting room.Sweater , Light Jacket , or Coat (Must remove upon entering Visiting Room)

Children

  • Children 12 and under may wear shorts.Shorts (Male and female over age 12 years)

Everything else

  • No clothing with obscene or controversial prints or language.Any clothing item that displays Obscene or Controversial Screen Print/Obscene
  • No blouses or apparel revealing in nature.Blouses and/or Other Apparel Revealing in Nature

If they say no

  • Improper attire is a listed reason for visit denial.under age without parent/guardian, improper attire , other

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 Scooter.