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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

FCI Pekin

Rules dated March 20, 2023 (3 years old)

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

Skirts and dresses No skirt or dress above middle of knee (0 inches); slits likewise.
Shorts Shorts allowed only if not above middle of the knee.
Colors to avoid No khaki or light brown clothing of any type. No green fatigues.
Leggings, spandex No spandex or jeggings. No excessively tight-fitting clothing.
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. No military clothing such as field jackets or green fatigues.
Shoes No open-toed shoes.
Children Not in the written rules.
All 20 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • No skirt or dress above middle of knee (0 inches); slits likewise.a. Miniskirts (and mini dresses) to include any skirt or dress above
  • Shorts allowed only if not above middle of the knee.b. Shorts worn above the middle of the knee.
  • No sleeveless apparel or tank tops, male or female.f. Tank tops - male or female.
  • No cut-off tops or midriff-baring tops.sweats, sleeveless, mid-drifts, jeans with holes, jeggins etc.)
  • No halter tops, halter dresses, or strapless dresses/tops.c. Halter tops or halter dresses.
  • No transparent apparel.transparent, excessively tight fitting (spandex), cut-off tops,
  • No excessively tight-fitting clothing.transparent, excessively tight fitting (spandex), cut-off tops,
  • No spandex or jeggings.transparent, excessively tight fitting (spandex), cut-off tops,
  • No jeans with holes.sweats, sleeveless, mid-drifts, jeans with holes, jeggins etc.)
  • No sweats.sweats, sleeveless, mid-drifts, jeans with holes, jeggins etc.)

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki or light brown clothing of any type.No khaki or light brown clothing of any type will be allowed in the
  • No green fatigues.g. Military clothing (i.e., field jackets, camouflage, green fatigues).
  • No camouflage.g. Military clothing (i.e., field jackets, camouflage, green fatigues).
  • No military clothing such as field jackets or green fatigues.g. Military clothing (i.e., field jackets, camouflage, green fatigues).

Bras, underwear and metal

  • Jewelry may be worn but not carried in.h. Jewelry worn (no jewelry will be carried in).

Shoes

  • No open-toed shoes.J. No open toed shoes.

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No hats or headbands.h. No hats or headbands.
  • A sweater, light jacket, or coat may be brought in.A sweater, light jacket or coat.

Everything else

  • No profane, sexually explicit, gang, or inappropriate symbols/writing on shirts.Shirts of any kind that display profane, sexually explicit or illegal

If they say no

  • Officers deny visits when clothing is not conservative or family-appropriate.Officers are to deny visits

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.