Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Texarkana
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts, dresses, culottes may not be above the knee when standing; no splits. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | No shorts of any length; children 12 and under may wear shorts. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki clothing. |
| Leggings, spandex | No spandex attire. No form-fitting or tight clothing. |
| Bras and metal | Visitors may not be bra-less. |
| Camouflage, military | Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home. |
| Shoes | Shoes required except infants; no open-toed or open-back shoes. |
| Children | Children 12 and under may wear shorts; infants exempt from shoe rule. |
All 18 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts, dresses, culottes may not be above the knee when standing; no splits.
Skirts, dresses, culottes: above the knee while at a standing position or splits in the material to include wrap around clothes
- No shorts of any length; children 12 and under may wear shorts.
Shorts any length (only children 12 and below may wear shorts)
- No tank tops.
Halter, tube, tank or crop tops
- No crop tops or shirts exposing the midriff.
Any shirt/blouse exposing the midriff
- No halter or tube tops.
Halter, tube, tank or crop tops
- No see-through clothing, including plain white t-shirts.
See-through clothing to include plain white t-shirts
- No form-fitting or tight clothing.
sexually suggestive, tight fitting, or could easily be confused with inmate clothing
- No spandex attire.
Brassiere-less Spandex attire
- No sweatpants or jogging suits.
Sweatpants or jogging suits
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki clothing.
Khaki clothing (pants, shirt, blouse, etc.)
Bras, underwear and metal
- Visitors may not be bra-less.
exposing the midriff Brassiere-less
Shoes
- Shoes required except infants; no open-toed or open-back shoes.
No open toed or open back shoes will be worn in visitation.
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats, baseball caps, cowboy hats, sombreros, head wraps or headbands.
Hats, Any type/form/resemblance of/to a baseball cap, cowboy hat, sombrero, head wrap, or head band.
Children
- Children 12 and under may wear shorts; infants exempt from shoe rule.
(only children 12 and below may wear shorts)
Everything else
- No obscene gestures, language or disruptive symbols.
Clothing displaying obscene gestures, language or disruptive symbols
- Capri pants allowed only if no shorter than the calf.
Capri pants could be worn but must be no shorter than the calf area
If they say no
- A visit may be terminated to maintain good taste.
A visit may be terminated in order to maintain good taste and consideration for others.
- Front Lobby Officer decides; consults Lieutenant/IDO in questionable cases.
They have the authority to deny a visit should a visitor not be in compliance with dress requirements.
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.