Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI McDowell
Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)
4 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 | Skirts/shorts/dresses no shorter than 2 inches above mid-knee; no slits above knee. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Shorts no shorter than 2 inches above mid-knee; no sweat shorts. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki or tan pants, shirts, jackets, or coats. No clothing available to inmates through commissary. |
| Leggings, spandex | No pantyhose-type leggings, spandex, or leotards unless covered by a dress/skirt. No tight or form-fitting dresses such as knit or spandex. |
| Bras and metal | Avoid metal clothing; underwire bras cannot be removed before detector. |
| Camouflage, military | Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home. |
| Shoes | No open-toe footwear or shoes without a back. No flip flops. |
| Children | Length rule applies only to persons over 10 years of age. |
All 27 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts/shorts/dresses no shorter than 2 inches above mid-knee; no slits above knee.
Skirts , shorts or dresses must not be shorter than two
- Shorts no shorter than 2 inches above mid-knee; no sweat shorts.
Skirts , shorts or dresses must not be shorter than two
- No tank tops or sleeveless shirts.
chest/breasts , and back . Tank tops ae not permissible .
- Tops must cover stomach, chest/breasts, and back.
Tops will cover the upper body , including stomach ,
- No halter tops or strapless dresses/tops.
st rapless dr essed/tops , spande x clothing and sleeveless s h i r ts) . Hats , bandanas ,
- No see-through material.
Clothing made of see - through material will not be
- No tight or form-fitting dresses such as knit or spandex.
age . Tight or form fitting dresses such as knit ,
- No pantyhose-type leggings, spandex, or leotards unless covered by a dress/skirt.
Any " pantyhose " type leggings , Spandex , leotards ,
- No pants with holes unless covered by an appropriate dress/skirt.
etc ., or pa n ts with holes , will not be permit t ed
- No sweat pants or sweat shorts.
through the commissary such as sweat pants , sweat
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki or tan pants, shirts, jackets, or coats.
Any khaki or tan colored pants , shirts , jackets or
- No clothing available to inmates through commissary.
Any clothing accessible to the inmate population
Bras, underwear and metal
- Avoid metal clothing; underwire bras cannot be removed before detector.
metal , i . e . underwire bras , cannot be removed before passi n g through the
Shoes
- No open-toe footwear or shoes without a back.
Open toe footwear(i . e ., flip flops , shoes without a
- No flip flops.
Open toe footwear(i . e ., flip flops , shoes without a
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats, visors, head wraps, headbands, bandanas, or scarves.
Head - wear such as hats , visors , head wraps or
- Religious headwear is allowed.
headbands (wi th exception to religious head - wear) will
- No hooded jackets or shirts.
not be permitted . Sunglasses , or any hooded jackets or
Children
- Length rule applies only to persons over 10 years of age.
inches above the mid - knee for persons over 10 years of
Everything else
- No suggestive or offensive words or pictures.
offensive words or pictures will not be · permitted.
- No wrap-around dresses, skirts, or tops.
permitted. Dresses , skirts , or tops that wrap around
- No plain white T-shirts.
sh orts , and plain white t -shirts are not permitted .
- No footwear with rolling wheels.
back , etc . ) may not be worn . Footwear with rolling
- No sunglasses or watches of any kind, including smart watches.
Watches of any kind will not be worn (i . e . apple
- No provocative or excessively revealing attire.
revealing attire will not be permitted in the
If they say no
- Visit may be denied if supervisors find dress inappropriate.
a n d scarves are not a u thorize d . Visitors may be denied a visit if supervisory
- IDO and/or Operations Lieutenant resolve clothing discrepancies.
may be resolved by the IDO and/or OPS Lieut enant .
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.