Surviving
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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

MCC San Diego

Rules dated August 7, 2026 (this year)

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

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.