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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Herlong

Rules dated May 15, 2026 (this year)

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

Skirts and dresses Skirts/dresses must be longer than back of knee: 0 inches above.
Shorts No shorts, except children under 8.
Colors to avoid No clothing similar in color or style to inmate or staff uniforms.
Leggings, spandex No spandex pants, body suits, skinny jeans, or leggings. No form-fitting or tight pants or skirts.
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 No open-toed shoes or heels higher than 1 inch. No flip flops, sandals, or slippers.
Children Children under 8 may wear shorts.
All 25 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Skirts/dresses must be longer than back of knee: 0 inches above.length MUST BE LONGER than the natural break of the leg at the back of the knee.
  • No shorts, except children under 8.Visitors are prohibited from wearing shorts (except children under 8) .
  • Sleeves must reach mid-bicep; no sleeveless shirts or tank tops.Shirts will have a sleeve that reaches the mid-bicep area,
  • No low cut clothing.no low cut or see-through clothing
  • No bare midriffs.no backless clothing, no bare midriffs, no swimsuits.
  • No tube tops, spaghetti straps, or backless clothing.no tube or tank tops, no sleeveless shirts or spaghetti straps, no backless clothing,
  • No see-through clothing; skin or undergarments must not show.(if skin or under garments can be seen through the garment, it is defined as "see-through")
  • No form-fitting or tight pants or skirts.or any other type of foDn fitting pants or skirts that could be considered suggestive or
  • No spandex pants, body suits, skinny jeans, or leggings.pajamas, spandex pants, body suits, skinny jeans; leggings,
  • No ripped or designed tears/holes.revealing in nature (e.g., tight clothing, ripped or designed tears/holes, etc.).
  • No swimsuits.no backless clothing, no bare midriffs, no swimsuits.
  • No pajamas.No sweat suits (pants, shirts/hoodies), pajamas, spandex
  • No sweat suits, including sweat pants, shirts, or hoodies.No sweat suits (pants, shirts/hoodies), pajamas, spandex

Colors and uniforms

  • No clothing similar in color or style to inmate or staff uniforms.Wearing clothing, which is similar in color or style to the inmate issued or staff uniforms is prohibited.

Shoes

  • No open-toed shoes or heels higher than 1 inch.Open-toed shoes, flip flops, sandals, slippers or footwear with a heel higher than 1" will not be allowed.
  • No flip flops, sandals, or slippers.Open-toed shoes, flip flops, sandals, slippers or footwear

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats.hats may not be worn into visits.
  • Religious headgear is allowed.HEADGEAR - Except for religious headgear,
  • No hoodies (as part of sweat suits).No sweat suits (pants, shirts/hoodies), pajamas, spandex

Children

  • Children under 8 may wear shorts.shorts (except children under 8) .

Everything else

  • No risky insignias/writing; no gang-related attire.No gang-related attire or fashions will be allowed.
  • Thigh/knee-high boots only under pants; never with skirts or dresses.Thigh-high and knee- high boots will not be permitted unless worn under the pant leg

If they say no

  • Provocative attire is reason to deny visiting.Provocative attire is reason to deny and/or preclude visiting.
  • Noncompliant visitors may change into appropriate attire before denial.adhere to the visitor dress code will be given the opportunity to change into appropriate attire prior to being denied a visit.
  • IDO/Operations Lieutenant may deny visits after review.Visits may be denied by the IDO and/or Operations Lieutenant for non-compliance after review of the issue in question.

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 us.