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What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Tallahassee

Rules dated April 17, 2014 (12 years old)

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

Skirts and dresses No skirts or dresses more than three inches above the knee.
Shorts No pants above mid-calf; only children under 10 may wear shorts.
Colors to avoid No khaki-colored clothing or khaki variations resembling inmate clothing. No orange clothing matching Special Housing Unit inmates' shade.
Leggings, spandex No spandex. No form-fitting or skintight clothing; no low-cut/hip-hugger 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 No fatigues or camouflage-patterned garments. No fatigues.
Shoes No flip flops, slippers, thongs, or house shoes.
Children Children under ten may wear shorts at lobby officer's discretion.
All 22 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • No skirts or dresses more than three inches above the knee.skirts or dresses higher than three inches above the knee in
  • No pants above mid-calf; only children under 10 may wear shorts.pants which go above the middle of the calf.
  • No sleeveless shirts, blouses, dresses, or tank tops.halter, midriffs, deep V-neck, backless, and sleeveless
  • No low-cut shirts or blouses exposing cleavage; no deep V-necks.a) Garments which reveal portions of the upper torso, to include low
  • No midriffs or garments exposing the stomach.cut shirts/blouses exposing cleavage, back or stomach area (i.e.
  • No halter, backless, or tube tops.halter, midriffs, deep V-neck, backless, and sleeveless
  • No see-through garments, including pants and plain white T-shirts.f) See-through garments, to include pants and plain white t-shirts
  • No form-fitting or skintight clothing; no low-cut/hip-hugger pants.b) Spandex, form-fitting clothing or low cut/hip hugger pants. Any
  • No spandex.b) Spandex, form-fitting clothing or low cut/hip hugger pants. Any

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki-colored clothing or khaki variations resembling inmate clothing.d) Khaki-colored clothing or variations of khaki which resemble
  • No orange clothing matching Special Housing Unit inmates' shade.inmate clothing. No orange colored, clothing with the same tone
  • No fatigues or camouflage-patterned garments.e) Fatigues or camouflaged-patterned garments.
  • No fatigues.e) Fatigues or camouflaged-patterned garments.

Shoes

  • No flip flops, slippers, thongs, or house shoes.i) No flip flops, slippers, thongs, or house shoes will be

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats, ear muffs, doo rags, or scarves.g) Hats (i.e. cowboy, baseball caps of any kind), ear muffs, doo

Children

  • Children under ten may wear shorts at lobby officer's discretion.children under the age of ten may wear shorts.

Everything else

  • No gang-related color combinations, insignias, or representations.l) No gang related color combinations, insignias, or representations
  • No non-prescription sunglasses.h) Non-prescription sun glasses/shades.
  • No sagging pants or clothing.j) Absolutely NO sagging of pants or any other type of clothing by
  • No bare feet, except babies and toddlers.permitted. No bare feet will be permitted (excluding

If they say no

  • Visits denied if visitor arrives in prohibited attire.pants, are all prohibited. Visits will be denied if the visitor arrives at the
  • Front lobby officer decides children's shorts after consulting Lieutenant or IDO.k) At the discretion of the front lobby officer, after consultation

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.