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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Schuylkill

Rules dated September 30, 2024 (2 years old)

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

Skirts and dresses No dress/skirt exposing the knee or above when seated.
Shorts No shorts except children under 16.
Colors to avoid No khaki clothing (FCI only).
Leggings, spandex No excessively tight-fitting pants.
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 footwear exposing toes or heels. No flip-flops, sandals or Crocs.
Children Children under 16 may wear shorts.
All 14 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • No dress/skirt exposing the knee or above when seated.any dress or skirt that exposes the knee or above while in a seated position,
  • No shorts except children under 16.Only children under 16 years old are permitted to wear shorts.
  • No sleeveless blouses, shirts or tank tops.sleeveless blouses or shirts, tank tops,
  • No see-through blouses.watches, see- through blouses, sleeveless blouses or shirts,
  • No excessively tight-fitting pants.excessively tight fitting pants,

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki clothing (FCI only).Khaki color clothing (FCI Only),

Bras, underwear and metal

  • No watches.except religious, watches, see- through blouses,

Shoes

  • No footwear exposing toes or heels.footwear exposing the toes or heals, i.e. Flip Flops, Sandals, Crocks etc.,
  • No flip-flops, sandals or Crocs.i.e. Flip Flops, Sandals, Crocks etc.,

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats, including baseball caps.hats (including baseball) except religious,
  • Religious hats are allowed.hats (including baseball) except religious,

Children

  • Children under 16 may wear shorts.Only children under 16 years old are permitted to wear shorts.

Everything else

  • No sunglasses except prescription.sunglasses (except prescription),

If they say no

  • Lobby Officer uses discretion; IDO or Lieutenant decides questions.Normally, the Lobby Officer will use his/her own discretion.

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 us.