Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Three Rivers
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
| Skirts and dresses | Shorts or skirts no more than 2 inches above the knee. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Shorts no more than 2 inches above knee; no athletic shorts. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki clothing. No orange clothing. Avoid clothing easily confused with inmate clothing. |
| Leggings, spandex | No Lycra or spandex clothing. No tight or form-fitting clothing. |
| Bras and metal | No metal that will not clear detector, incl. piercings. |
| Camouflage, military | No camouflage clothing. |
| Shoes | No open-toed shoes. No shower shoes or flip-flops. |
| Children | Clothing list applies to children ages 4 and over. |
All 27 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Shorts or skirts no more than 2 inches above the knee.
- Shorts or skirts more than two (2) inches above the knee;
- Shorts no more than 2 inches above knee; no athletic shorts.
- Shorts or skirts more than two (2) inches above the knee;
- No sleeveless blouses or dresses.
- Sleeveless, strapless or bareback blouses or dresses
- No deep V-neck blouses, shirts or dresses.
- Deep v-neck blouses, shirts or dresses;
- No midriff shirts; shirts tucked or belted for ages 4+.
> Halter tops or midriff shirts. Shirts will be tucked in or belted for all visitors ages 4 and over:
- No strapless or bareback blouses/dresses, or halter tops.
- Sleeveless, strapless or bareback blouses or dresses
- No see-through clothing, even over a shirt; no fishnet.
= Tight, form fitting or see through clothing. This includes see through shirts with a shirt underneath;
- No tight or form-fitting clothing.
= Tight, form fitting or see through clothing. This includes see through shirts with a shirt underneath;
- No Lycra or spandex clothing.
- Lycra or spandex clothing;
- No swimwear.
Lycra or spandex clothing; - Athletic shorts/sweatpants (cloth material) /wind suits; - Swimwear;
- No slippers.
- Swimwear; - Slippers;
- No athletic shorts, sweatpants, or wind suits.
- Athletic shorts/sweatpants (cloth material) /wind suits;
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki clothing.
- Khaki, orange or camouflage colors.
- No orange clothing.
- Khaki, orange or camouflage colors.
- Avoid clothing easily confused with inmate clothing.
sexually suggestive or could easily be confused with inmate clothing
- No camouflage clothing.
- Khaki, orange or camouflage colors.
Bras, underwear and metal
- No metal that will not clear detector, incl. piercings.
~ All metal items which will not clear the metal detector; to include body piercing, excess metal on or
Shoes
- No open-toed shoes.
- Open-toed shoes
- No shower shoes or flip-flops.
- Show shoes or “flip flop” type shoes;
Hats, hoods and coats
- No caps, hats or scarves of any kind.
- Caps, hats and scarves of any kind;
- No coats, sweaters or jackets with hoods attached.
= Long coats, sweaters and jackets that have hoods attached or extended below the knee;
- No long coats below knee; jacket cannot cover unauthorized shirt.
- A jacket cannot cover up an unauthorized shirt
Children
- Clothing list applies to children ages 4 and over.
Clothing Not Authorized (to include children ages 4 and over)
Everything else
- No clothing symbolizing gang activity or affiliation.
= Clothing of any type which would symbolize gang activity or gang affiliation;
- No mini-skirts, wrap-around skirts, or long slits.
- Mini-skirts or wrap around skirts;
If they say no
- Front Lobby Officer can bar entry until appropriate clothing is worn.
prevent access until appropriate clothing is worn.
- Questionable attire referred to the IDO before denial.
Questionable attire will be referred to the Institution Duty Officer
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.