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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Victorville Medium I

Rules dated March 1, 2022 (4 years old)

4 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.

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

Skirts and dresses Skirts/dresses/shorts no more than two inches above mid-knee (over age 10).
Shorts Shorts allowed if no more than two inches above mid-knee; attachment bans shorts.
Colors to avoid No forest green (dark green) pants, shirts, jackets, or coats. No plain white T-shirts (attachment adds brown t-shirts).
Leggings, spandex No leggings, jeggings, spandex, leotards unless lower body covered. No tight or form fitting dresses such as knit or spandex.
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 Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home.
Shoes Closed toe shoes required. No house shoes, flip-flops, or slippers.
Children Length rule applies only to persons over 10 years old.
All 26 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Skirts/dresses/shorts no more than two inches above mid-knee (over age 10).Shorts, skirts or dresses must not be shorter than two inches above the mid-knee for persons over 10 years of age.
  • Shorts allowed if no more than two inches above mid-knee; attachment bans shorts.Shorts, skirts or dresses must not be
  • No tank tops; attachment also bans sleeveless clothing.Tank tops are not permissible.
  • No tops revealing rise of breast or cleavage, low-cut or unbuttoned.reveal the rise of a breast(s) or cleavage (defined as the depression between a man or woman's breasts) is not appropriate
  • Tops must cover stomach, chest/breasts, and back.Tops will cover the upper body, including stomach, chest/breasts, and back.
  • No tube tops or backless clothing (attachment).tops, tank tops, shorts, backless
  • No see-through clothing.Clothing made of see-through material will not be permitted.
  • No tight or form fitting dresses such as knit or spandex.Tight or form fitting dresses such as knit, Spandex, or any other material that is form fitting will not be
  • No leggings, jeggings, spandex, leotards unless lower body covered.Any “pantyhose” type leggings, Jeggings, Spandex, leotards, etc.
  • No pants with holes unless lower body is covered.or pants with holes, will not be permitted unless the
  • No sweat pants or sweat shorts.sweat pants, sweat shorts, and plain white T-shirts are not permitted.

Colors and uniforms

  • No forest green (dark green) pants, shirts, jackets, or coats.Any forest green (dark green) colored pants, shirts, jackets or coats are not permitted.
  • No plain white T-shirts (attachment adds brown t-shirts).sweat pants, sweat shorts, and plain white T-shirts are not permitted.

Bras, underwear and metal

  • All appropriate undergarments are required (attachment).undergarments are required.

Shoes

  • Closed toe shoes required.Closed toe shoes are required.
  • No house shoes, flip-flops, or slippers.beach style footwear (i.e., flip-flops, slippers) may not be worn.

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats, visors, head wraps, or headbands.Head-wear, such as hats, visors, head wraps, or headbands (with the exception of
  • Religious head-wear is allowed.(with the exception of religious head-wear)
  • No hooded clothing or shirts.any hooded clothing or shirts will not be permitted in the visiting room.

Children

  • Length rule applies only to persons over 10 years old.for persons over 10 years of age.

Everything else

  • No clothing with suggestive or offensive words or pictures.Clothing with suggestive or offensive words or pictures will not be permitted.
  • No excessively revealing clothing.Excessively revealing clothing is not permitted.
  • No wrap-around dresses, skirts, or tops.Dresses, skirts, or tops that wrap around the body,
  • No sunglasses.Sun glasses, or any hooded clothing or shirts

If they say no

  • Visitors violating dress code may change before being denied.Inmate visitors who do not adhere to the visitor dress code will be given the opportunity to change into appropriate attire prior to being denied a visit.
  • Any other clothing deemed inappropriate for prison not authorized.Any clothing not noted above that is deemed inappropriate for wear in a correctional facility will not be authorized.

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.