Surviving
the Feds
¿Hablas español? Toca aquí

Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

USP Lee

Rules dated October 15, 2018 (8 years old)

8 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 Shorts, skirts, dresses no more than 2 inches above knee, including slits.
Shorts Shorts no more than 2 inches above knee; business visitors no shorts.
Colors to avoid No khaki, tan, beige, brown, or light brown clothing. No grey sweat pants or shirts.
Leggings, spandex No tight-fitting or stretch clothing.
Bras and metal Underwire bras may set off detector and need removal.
Camouflage, military Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home.
Shoes No open-toe shoes. No flip-flop style shoes.
Children Not in the written rules.
All 23 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • Shorts, skirts, dresses no more than 2 inches above knee, including slits.more than two inches above the knee to include any slits in the
  • Shorts no more than 2 inches above knee; business visitors no shorts.setting. Shorts, skirts, and dresses will be at a maximum of no
  • No tank tops or muscle shirts; shoulders must be covered.No tank tops/muscle shirts - All shirts and blouses must
  • No low-cut blouses.No low-cut blouses
  • No see-through clothing; revealing white clothing counts as see-through.No see-through clothing (if white-colored clothing is
  • No tight-fitting or stretch clothing.No tight-fitting or stretch clothing
  • No grey sweat pants or sweat shirts.No grey colored sweat pants or shirts

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki, tan, beige, brown, or light brown clothing.beige, khaki, or tan) will not be allowed to enter the visiting
  • No grey sweat pants or shirts.No grey colored sweat pants or shirts

Bras, underwear and metal

  • Visitors 16+ must wear inner garment covering breast/chest; undergarments required.to wear an inner garment covering the breast or chest area.
  • Underwire bras may set off detector and need removal.Undergarments containing metal (i.e. underwire bra)
  • No watches of any kind.No watches of any kind

Shoes

  • No open-toe shoes.Therefore, no open-toed shoes are
  • No flip-flop style shoes.No flip-flop style/open toe shoes

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No ball caps, hats, bandanas, sweat bands, do rags, or scarves.No ball caps, hats, bandanas, sweat bands, do rags, or
  • Approved religious head gear allowed.exception of approved religious head gear.
  • No hooded shirts or jackets.No hooded shirts or jackets
  • No outerwear, jackets, or sweaters.No outwear/jackets, sweaters, etc.

Everything else

  • No wrap-around or button up/down skirts.No button up/down skirts
  • No sunglasses.No watches of any kind, no sunglasses, no scarfs, no grey
  • No suggestive, revealing, or provocative clothing.Visitors are to refrain from wearing apparel which is revealing or suggestive.

If they say no

  • Visitors may be denied entry for dress violations.Visitors may be denied entry based on their dress attire.
  • Denial decision cannot be delegated below Operations Lieutenant.decision will not be delegated lower than the Operations

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.