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What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Thomson

Rules dated 06/24/2025 (1 year old)

These rules contradict themselves. When two rules disagree, dress by the stricter one.

Skirts and dresses Shorts/skirts/dresses no shorter than 2 inches above mid-knee; no slits above knee.
Shorts Shorts no shorter than 2 inches above mid-knee; attachments ban shorts entirely.
Colors to avoid No brown (khaki) pants, shirts, jackets, or coats at the FCI. No forest/dark green pants, shirts, jackets, or coats at the Camp. No fluorescent orange clothing. No clothing sold to inmates through commissary.
Leggings, spandex No pantyhose-type leggings, jeggings, spandex, or leotards unless lower body covered. No tight or form-fitting dresses or skin-tight pants of any material.
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 camouflage clothing.
Shoes Closed-toe shoes required; no open-toe footwear. No house shoes, flip-flops, slippers, or crocs.
Children Length rule applies to persons over 10; babies may be barefoot.
All 29 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Shorts/skirts/dresses no shorter than 2 inches above mid-knee; no slits above knee.knee will not be permitted. Shorts, skirts or dresses must not
  • Shorts no shorter than 2 inches above mid-knee; attachments ban shorts entirely.be shorter than two inches above the mid-knee for persons over 10
  • No tank tops.chest/breasts, and back. Tank tops are not permissible. Clothing
  • No tops revealing rise of breast or cleavage, low-cut or unbuttoned.worn in such a way as to reveal the rise of a breast(s) or
  • Tops must cover stomach, chest/breasts, and back.Tops will cover the upper body, including stomach,
  • No see-through or transparent clothing.made of see-through material will not be permitted. Tops that are
  • No tight or form-fitting dresses or skin-tight pants of any material.years of age. Tight or form fitting dresses such as knit,
  • No pantyhose-type leggings, jeggings, spandex, or leotards unless lower body covered.ab Any “pantyhose” type leggings, Jeggings,
  • No pants with holes unless lower body is covered.regardless of the material), or pants with holes, will not be
  • No sweat pants or sweat shorts.population through the commissary such as sweat pants, sweat

Colors and uniforms

  • No brown (khaki) pants, shirts, jackets, or coats at the FCI.shorts, and plain white T-shirts are not permitted. Any - brown
  • No forest/dark green pants, shirts, jackets, or coats at the Camp.(khaki) at the FCI or forest green (dark green) at the Camp -
  • No fluorescent orange clothing.religious or medical headgear. Clothing that is khaki, camouflage and
  • No clothing sold to inmates through commissary.iii. Any clothing accessible to the inmate
  • No camouflage clothing.religious or medical headgear. Clothing that is khaki, camouflage and

Shoes

  • Closed-toe shoes required; no open-toe footwear.blake Closed toe shoes are required. No open-toe
  • No house shoes, flip-flops, slippers, or crocs.flip-flops, slippers) may not be worn. Footwear with rolling

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats, visors, head wraps, headbands, ball caps, bandanas, sweat bands, do-rags.iv. Head-wear, such as hats, visors, head wraps,
  • Religious (and medical) headwear is allowed.or headbands (with the exception of religious head-wear) will not
  • No hooded clothing or shirts.be permitted. Sun glasses, or any hooded clothing or shirts will

Children

  • Length rule applies to persons over 10; babies may be barefoot.be shorter than two inches above the mid-knee for persons over 10

Everything else

  • No suggestive or offensive words or pictures.permitted. Clothing with suggestive or offensive words or
  • No wrap-around dresses, skirts, or tops.(2) Dresses, skirts, or tops that wrap around the
  • No plain white T-shirts.shorts, and plain white T-shirts are not permitted. Any - brown
  • No sunglasses.be permitted. Sun glasses, or any hooded clothing or shirts will
  • No footwear with rolling heels.heels is not permitted.
  • No culottes.shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, or excessively tight-fitting clothing will

If they say no

  • Visitors violating dress code get chance to change before denial.given the opportunity to change into appropriate attire prior to
  • Only IDO or Operations Lieutenant may deny a visit; other clothing deemed inappropriate banned.decline the visit. Only the IDO or Operations Lieutenant will

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.