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What to wear to a federal prison visit

FDC Philadelphia

Rules dated 03/08/2023 (3 years old)

3 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.

Skirts and dresses Skirts/dresses knee length or lower (0 inches); attorneys up to 3 inches.
Shorts Shorts no more than 2 inches above the knee, children included.
Colors to avoid No orange clothing. No grey sweatpants. No yellow clothing, white t-shirts, or anything like inmate attire.
Leggings, spandex No Lycra or spandex. No tight-fitting clothes such as Lycra or spandex.
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 Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home.
Shoes No open-toed shoes.
Children No exceptions: shorts rule and jacket rule apply to children.
All 23 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Skirts/dresses knee length or lower (0 inches); attorneys up to 3 inches.Skirts and dresses must be knee length or lower.
  • Shorts no more than 2 inches above the knee, children included.No shorts measuring more than 2 inches above the knee (all
  • No sleeveless tops, blouses, or tank tops.No sleeveless tops, blouses, tank tops or jerseys.
  • No low-cut revealing clothing.No tube tops, midriffs, or low-cut revealing clothing.
  • No midriff-baring clothing.No tube tops, midriffs, or low-cut revealing clothing.
  • No tube tops.No tube tops, midriffs, or low-cut revealing clothing.
  • No see-through clothing.No see-through clothing or ripped clothing of any kind.
  • No tight-fitting clothes such as Lycra or spandex.No tight-fitting clothes (i.e., Lycra, spandex).
  • No Lycra or spandex.No tight-fitting clothes (i.e., Lycra, spandex).
  • No ripped clothing of any kind.No see-through clothing or ripped clothing of any kind.
  • No athletic wear such as sweatpants or gym shorts.No athletic wear. This includes items such as sweatpants

Colors and uniforms

  • No orange clothing.any article of clothing yellow or orange in color is not authorized,
  • No grey sweatpants.Grey sweatpants, white t-shirts, and any article of clothing yellow or
  • No yellow clothing, white t-shirts, or anything like inmate attire.to include all other clothing similar to inmate attire.

Bras, underwear and metal

  • No watches of any kind.No watches of any kind.

Shoes

  • No open-toed shoes.No-open toed shoes. No knee or thigh-high boots.

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats or scarves, including scarves around neck or waist.No hats or scarves. This includes scarves around the neck
  • A jacket or sweater worn in must stay on the whole visit.If a jacket or sweater is worn in, it must remain on during the entire visit,

Children

  • No exceptions: shorts rule and jacket rule apply to children.persons to include children).

Everything else

  • No jerseys.No sleeveless tops, blouses, tank tops or jerseys.
  • No sunglasses or long hair picks.No sunglasses or long hair picks.
  • No knee or thigh-high boots; no pants tucked into boots.No knee or thigh-high boots. No pants should be tucked into boots.

If they say no

  • Lieutenant or IDO decides questionable attire and approves or denies.The Lieutenant or Institution Duty Officer (IDO) will be contacted if an individual’s dress attire is in question.

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.