Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Petersburg Low
3 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts within 3 inches of the knee; no higher slits. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Walking shorts or culottes allowed, no more than 3 inches above knee. |
| Colors to avoid | No solid khaki/tan clothing at Medium or Low. No solid green clothing for Camp visitors. No solid orange clothing at the Medium. No solid grey sweatpants or sweatshirts. |
| Leggings, spandex | No spandex-type clothing. No tight-fitting apparel. |
| 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. No military-style clothing similar to inmate wear. |
| Shoes | Sandals OK but no flip-flops; footwear required. |
| Children | Not in the written rules. |
All 19 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts within 3 inches of the knee; no higher slits.
F. Skirts must be within 3" of the knee. No splits up higher.
- Walking shorts or culottes allowed, no more than 3 inches above knee.
A. Visitors (male and female) may wear walking shorts (or culottes) no more than 3" above
- No tank tops.
D. No tank tops or other wear that exposes the midriff or cleavage area.
- No clothing exposing the cleavage area.
D. No tank tops or other wear that exposes the midriff or cleavage area.
- No clothing exposing the midriff.
D. No tank tops or other wear that exposes the midriff or cleavage area.
- No see-through clothing.
B. No see through clothing.
- No tight-fitting apparel.
G. No spandex type clothing or other tight fitting apparel.
- No spandex-type clothing.
G. No spandex type clothing or other tight fitting apparel.
- No solid grey sweatpants or sweatshirts.
H. No solid grey sweatpants or sweatshirts.
Colors and uniforms
- No solid khaki/tan clothing at Medium or Low.
I. No solid colored khaki/tan colored clothing at the Medium or Low facility.
- No solid green clothing for Camp visitors.
K. No solid green colored clothing for Camp visitors.
- No solid orange clothing at the Medium.
J. No solid orange colored clothing at the Medium.
- No solid grey sweatpants or sweatshirts.
H. No solid grey sweatpants or sweatshirts.
- No camouflage.
C. No military style clothing similar to inmate wear. (i.e. camouflage)
- No military-style clothing similar to inmate wear.
C. No military style clothing similar to inmate wear. (i.e. camouflage)
Shoes
- Sandals OK but no flip-flops; footwear required.
E. Footwear is required. Sandals are acceptable with the exception of flip-flops.
Everything else
- No medical scrubs.
L. No medical scrubs.
If they say no
- Visitors can be denied entry for improper clothing.
to the following: incorrect visiting day, visitor is not on the visiting list, improper clothing,
- Front entrance officer decides; questions go to Operations Lieutenant or CDO.
officer is responsible for determining suitable attire.
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.