Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Memphis
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts, dresses and slits no higher than two inches above the knee. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | No shorts of any kind; allowed for children only. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki or brown clothing like inmate uniforms. No orange clothing. No grey clothing (Attachment 7). |
| Leggings, spandex | No spandex, leggings or capri pants. No skin-tight clothing, including tight jeans. |
| 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 camouflage clothing. No hospital scrubs or medical uniforms. |
| Shoes | No open-toed shoes; feet must be enclosed. No thongs or sandals. |
| Children | Children may wear shorts; infants may wear hats. |
All 23 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts, dresses and slits no higher than two inches above the knee.
Skirts and dresses must be longer than two inches above the knee.
- No shorts of any kind; allowed for children only.
Shorts (shorts are allowed for children only)
- All garments must have sleeves; no vests or tank tops.
All garments must have sleeves (long or short).
- No low-cut shirts or blouses; no V-necks.
low cut shirts or blouses,
- No belly shirts exposing the abdomen.
Belly shirts (abdomen exposed)
- No see-through garments.
See-through garments of any kind
- No skin-tight clothing, including tight jeans.
Skin-tight clothing of any kind (including spandex, leggings, and, jeans)
- No spandex, leggings or capri pants.
(including spandex, leggings, and, jeans)
- No distressed pants/jeans with holes.
Sagging pants/jeans and distressed (no holes) pants/jeans
- No jogging or sweat suits.
Jogging/sweat suits of any kind
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki or brown clothing like inmate uniforms.
khaki, orange, brown, and camouflage clothing (like the uniforms the inmate wears)
- No orange clothing.
khaki, orange, brown, and camouflage clothing
- No grey clothing (Attachment 7).
Khaki, orange, brown, and grey clothing (like the uniforms the inmates wear)
- No camouflage clothing.
brown, and camouflage clothing (like the uniforms the inmate wears)
- No hospital scrubs or medical uniforms.
Hospital scrubs or medical uniforms
Bras, underwear and metal
- No excessive jewelry.
above the knee Excessive jewelry
Shoes
- No open-toed shoes; feet must be enclosed.
Open-toed shoes, thongs, or sandals (feet must be enclosed)
- No thongs or sandals.
No thong, open toe shoes or sandals allowed.
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats or caps except for infants.
Hats or caps (except for infants)
Children
- Children may wear shorts; infants may wear hats.
Hats or caps (except for infants)
Everything else
- No vulgar or offensive words or pictures, incl. racial/religious offense.
articles of clothing displaying any words or statements deemed vulgar, or offensive to one’s race, national origin, or religious belief is prohibited.
- No wraparound skirts, tee shirts, camisoles as outerwear, or sagging pants.
Tee shirts, jogging/sweat suits,
If they say no
- Operations Lieutenant may terminate visits for improper dress.
has the authority to terminate any visit due to improper dress,
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.