Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
MCC San Diego
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
| Skirts and dresses | Dresses/skirts no more than 3 inches above the kneecap; no high-cut slits. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | No shorts of any kind. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki military-type clothing. No green military-type clothing. No solid grey t-shirts. No solid white t-shirts. |
| Leggings, spandex | No leotards or stretch pants. No excessively tight clothing. |
| Bras and metal | No underwire bras, garter belts, large metal buttons unless medically needed. |
| Camouflage, military | No khaki or green military-type clothing. |
| Shoes | No open-toe or open-back shoes; closed toe and back required. No clogs, Crocs-like shoes, sandals or flip-flops. |
| Children | Children under five may wear shorts, sweatpants or sweatshirts. |
All 30 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Dresses/skirts no more than 3 inches above the kneecap; no high-cut slits.
dresses or skirts which are more than three inches above knee cap,
- No shorts of any kind.
shorts of any kind, see-through garments
- No tank tops or sleeveless garments unless under suit jacket/cardigan.
any sleeveless garment that is not layered with a suit jacket or cardigan,
- No low-cut blouses.
low cut blouses, dresses or skirts which
- No crop tops.
stretch pants, crop tops, halter tops,
- No bare-back clothing, halter tops or tube tops.
bare back clothing, low cut blouses,
- No see-through garments or mesh, including sheer sleeves.
see-through garments (including arms unless covered by a suit jacket or cardigan), mesh
- No excessively tight clothing.
excessively tight clothing, hats, open
- No leotards or stretch pants.
leotards, stretch pants, crop tops,
- No torn or ripped clothing.
torn/ripped clothing, leotards, stretch pants,
- No bathing suits.
medical scrubs, bathing suits, sweatshirts, sweat pants,
- No sweatshirts or sweat pants.
sweatshirts, sweat pants, jackets (unless worn with suit),
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki military-type clothing.
Khaki or green military-type clothing of any kind, including pants, are not permitted.
- No green military-type clothing.
Khaki or green military-type clothing of any kind, including pants, are not permitted.
- No solid grey t-shirts.
solid white or grey t-shirts.
- No solid white t-shirts.
solid white or grey t-shirts.
- No khaki or green military-type clothing.
Khaki or green military-type clothing
Bras, underwear and metal
- No underwire bras, garter belts, large metal buttons unless medically needed.
These items include underwire bras, garter belts, clothing with costume jewelry, large metal buttons, etc.
- No clothing with costume jewelry.
clothing with costume jewelry, large metal buttons,
Shoes
- No open-toe or open-back shoes; closed toe and back required.
open toe or open back shoes (clogs or Crocs-like shoes/sandals/ flipflops),
- No clogs, Crocs-like shoes, sandals or flip-flops.
(clogs or Crocs-like shoes/sandals/ flipflops),
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats, caps, hoods or scarves unless medical/religious need.
Visitors are not allowed to wear hats or head garments, unless medical or religious reasons dictate, they are necessary.
- Head garments allowed when religious or medical reasons require.
unless medical or religious reasons dictate, they are necessary.
- No hoods.
caps or hoods, scarves,
- No jackets unless worn with a suit.
jackets (unless worn with suit),
Children
- Children under five may wear shorts, sweatpants or sweatshirts.
Children less than five years of age are permitted to wear shorts, sweatpants, or sweatshirts.
Everything else
- Dress must suit a correctional setting or courtroom; legal visitors too.
required to dress in a manner appropriate for a correctional setting or courtroom.
- No medical scrubs.
Visitors will not be allowed to wear medical scrubs, bathing suits,
- No bare feet.
No bare feet will be allowed.
If they say no
- Questions go to Operations Lieutenant or IDO before denial.
Any questions regarding proper attire will be directed to the Operations Lieutenant or IDO before a visitor is denied entrance.
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 us.