Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Forrest City Medium
Official rules (PDF) En español (PDF)
9 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts below the knee standing and seated (0 inches above); slits not above knee. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | No form-fitting shorts; other version bans shorts shorter than knee length. |
| Colors to avoid | No khaki shirt-and-pant combination at Medium and Low components. |
| Leggings, spandex | No stretch pants or Spandex for adult visitors. No form-fitting shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, pants, or shorts. |
| 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 | No open-toe footwear. No flip flops. |
| Children | Not in the written rules. |
All 26 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts below the knee standing and seated (0 inches above); slits not above knee.
must be below the knee in a standing and seated
- No form-fitting shorts; other version bans shorts shorter than knee length.
No formfitting pants or shorts. To include
- No sleeveless shirts or semi-short sleeve shirts.
Sleeveless shirts may not be worn.
- No tops or dresses revealing stomach, back, underarms, or thigh; no crop tops.
No shirts, blouses, or dresses that reveal the
- No tank tops, halter tops, or backless outfits.
tank tops, halter tops, crop tops, etc. No semi-
- No see-through material, including revealing lace.
No clothing made from “see through” material;
- No form-fitting shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, pants, or shorts.
short sleeve shirts/blouses; no formfitting
- No stretch pants or Spandex for adult visitors.
stretch pants, Spandex for adult visitors.
- No holes in clothing.
including revealing lace, and holes in clothing.
- No swim suits.
(f) No swim suits
- No pajama clothing.
(r) No pajama clothing
- No sweat suits, warm-up suits, or jogging suits.
No sweat suits or hooded sweat shirts, i.e.
Colors and uniforms
- No khaki shirt-and-pant combination at Medium and Low components.
At the Medium and Low components, no khaki or
- No camouflage clothing.
(h) No camouflage clothing
Shoes
- No open-toe footwear.
No open toe footwear, flip flops, etc.
- No flip flops.
No open toe footwear, flip flops, etc.
Hats, hoods and coats
- No hats.
No hats. Exceptions will be made for traditional
- Traditional religious headwear allowed, e.g., kufi, yarmulke, tam.
religious head wear, i.e., kufi, Yarmulkes, tam,
- No hooded sweatshirts; sweaters must not have hoods.
No sweat suits or hooded sweat shirts, i.e.
- No jackets or coats; light sweater without hood or pockets allowed.
No jackets or coats, no gloves or scarfs, a light
Everything else
- No profanity or obscene clothing.
No profanity or obscene clothing
- No suggestive or revealing clothing; casual attire must be conservative.
Absolutely no suggestive or revealing clothing will be
- No athletic jerseys.
warm-up suits, or jogging suit; no athletic jerseys
- No sunglasses, gloves, scarves, or wrist watches.
No jackets or coats, no gloves or scarfs, a light
- No entirely white outfits at Medium and Low components (one version only).
pant combination; no entirely white outfits.
If they say no
- Admittance is at discretion of lobby, control, visiting officers, lieutenants, IDO.
visitors is up to the discretion of the Front Lobby
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 us.