Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Tallahassee
Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)
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
- 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.