Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FPC Yankton
Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)
| Skirts and dresses | Visitors over 12: skirts/dresses not above top of kneecap (0 inches). |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Visitors over 12: no shorts above top of kneecap. |
| Colors to avoid | Not in the written rules. |
| Leggings, spandex | No spandex clothing. No skin-tight clothing. |
| Bras and metal | Female visitors must wear bras. |
| Camouflage, military | Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home. |
| Shoes | Footwear must cover entire foot; no open-toed footwear. No sandals or flip-flops. |
| Children | Length rule applies to visitors over age 12. |
All 16 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Visitors over 12: skirts/dresses not above top of kneecap (0 inches).
skirts, shorts, or dresses exceeding above the
- Visitors over 12: no shorts above top of kneecap.
skirts, shorts, or dresses exceeding above the
- No sleeveless shirts or tank tops.
shirts, tank tops, and any kind of top that
- No radically low-cut shirts or blouses.
radically low-cut shirts or blouses, revealing
- No tops revealing the midriff.
reveals the midriff area of the anatomy,
- No halter tops, tube tops, or backless clothing.
clothing, halter tops, tube tops, sleeveless
- No see-through clothing.
top of the kneecap in length. See-through
- No skin-tight clothing.
skin-tight clothing or spandex clothing is
- No spandex clothing.
skin-tight clothing or spandex clothing is
Bras, underwear and metal
- Female visitors must wear bras.
undergarments (including bras for females).
- All visitors must wear undergarments.
undergarments (including bras for females).
Shoes
- Footwear must cover entire foot; no open-toed footwear.
footwear that covers the entire foot. Sandals,
- No sandals or flip-flops.
flip-flops, and open-toed footwear is prohibited.
Children
- Length rule applies to visitors over age 12.
visiting. Visitors over the age of 12 years old
If they say no
- Provocative, immodest, or revealing attire is reason to deny visiting.
immodest or revealing attire is reason to deny
- Visiting Room Officer may deny after consulting Lieutenant and/or IDO.
compliance by the Visiting Room 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.