Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
USP Pollock
3 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.
| Skirts and dresses | Dresses no shorter than top of knee (0 inches); no miniskirts or slits above knee. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | No shorts (children under 12 may at staff discretion). |
| Colors to avoid | No khakis resembling inmate clothing. No grey sweats. No clothing resembling inmate clothing style or color. |
| Leggings, spandex | No spandex. |
| Bras and metal | Female visitors must wear a bra. |
| Camouflage, military | Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home. |
| Shoes | No open-toe sandals. |
| Children | Children under 12 may wear shorts at staff discretion. |
All 23 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Dresses no shorter than top of knee (0 inches); no miniskirts or slits above knee.
Dresses will not be shorter than the top of the knee.
- No shorts (children under 12 may at staff discretion).
sleeveless tops/dresses, shorts, miniskirts,
- No sleeveless tops or dresses.
overalls, sleeveless tops/dresses, shorts,
- No low-cut shirts or blouses.
low cut shirts & blouses, halter-tops,
- No garments revealing the mid-section.
garments which reveal the mid-section,
- No halter tops.
low cut shirts & blouses, halter-tops, transparent or
- No transparent or sheer clothing.
transparent or sheer clothing,
- No spandex.
Capri-pants, or spandex.
- No grey sweats.
khakis, grey sweats)
Colors and uniforms
- No khakis resembling inmate clothing.
resembles the style or color of inmate clothing (i.e., khakis, grey sweats)
- No grey sweats.
(i.e., khakis, grey sweats) will not be allowed into the institution.
- No clothing resembling inmate clothing style or color.
resembles the style or color of inmate clothing
Bras, underwear and metal
- Female visitors must wear a bra.
Female visitors are required to wear a bra.
- All visitors must wear undergarments.
All visitors will wear under garments.
Shoes
- No open-toe sandals.
hats, open-toe sandals, shoes, low cut shirts & blouses,
- No open-toe sandals.
open-toe sandals, shoes,
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats.
The following items are NOT allowed: hats, open-toe sandals, shoes,
Children
- Children under 12 may wear shorts at staff discretion.
children under the age of twelve may be allowed to wear shorts.
Everything else
- No derogatory, sexually suggestive or gang-related logos.
Clothing with derogatory, sexually suggestive, or gang-related logos will not be allowed.
- No overalls.
sheer clothing, overalls, sleeveless tops/dresses,
- No culottes or capri pants.
miniskirts, culottes, Capri-pants, or spandex.
- No bare feet except babies; footwear required.
No bare feet will be permitted {excluding babies}.
If they say no
- Ops Lieutenant/IDO decide on inmate-like clothing and children's shorts.
At the discretion of the Operations Lieutenant or Institution Duty Officer,
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.