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