Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
FCI Ray Brook
Official rules (PDF) No Spanish version posted
6 years old. Ask your loved one to check the copy posted in the unit before you drive.
| Skirts and dresses | Skirts no more than six inches above the knee; no mini-skirts. |
|---|---|
| Shorts | No short shorts; shorts no more than six inches above the knee. |
| Colors to avoid | Male visitors may not wear khaki pants or shirts like inmates. |
| Leggings, spandex | 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 | Not in the written rules. Many prisons ban both; leave them home. |
| Shoes | No open-toed footwear at any time. No flip flops or sandals. |
| Children | Babies may be barefoot. |
All 17 rules, in the BOP's own words
Length and fit
- Skirts no more than six inches above the knee; no mini-skirts.
Shorts and skirts will be no more than six inches above the knee.
- No short shorts; shorts no more than six inches above the knee.
Shorts and skirts will be no more than six inches above the knee.
- No tank tops or muscle shirts; shoulders must be covered.
clothing will not be admitted into the institution. Tank tops, muscle shirts,
- No exposed cleavage.
fitting clothing will not be allowed (i.e., shoulders must be covered and no
- No halter tops.
halter tops, short shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, or excessively tight
- Visitors in transparent clothing will not be admitted.
appropriate dress in the visiting room. Visitors wearing transparent
- No excessively tight-fitting clothing.
halter tops, short shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, or excessively tight
Colors and uniforms
- Male visitors may not wear khaki pants or shirts like inmates.
clothing (i.e . , khaki pants or shirts) will not be allowed to visit.
Shoes
- No open-toed footwear at any time.
Excluding babies, no bare feet will be permitted. No open toed footwear will
- No flip flops or sandals.
be allowed in the visiting room (e.g., flip flops/sandals) at any time .
Hats, hoods and coats
- No ball caps, hats, bandanas, or other headwear.
Furthermore, ball caps, hats, bandanas, or any other headwear will not be
- Authorized religious headwear is allowed.
authorized, with the exception of authorized religious headwear. All
Children
- Babies may be barefoot.
Excluding babies, no bare feet will be permitted. No open toed footwear will
Everything else
- No culottes.
halter tops, short shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, or excessively tight
- COVID-era face coverings required: solid color, not blue or red, no writing.
not permitted), secure behind the ears, contain no writing and cover the nose and
If they say no
- Suggestive or revealing clothing will be denied admittance.
wearing clothing of a suggestive or revealing nature will be denied
- Attire questions go to the Operations Lieutenant or Institution Duty Officer.
questions regarding attire will be directed to the Operations Lieutenant or
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.