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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Memphis

Rules dated June 17, 2026 (this year)

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

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.