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Free tool · Visiting

What to wear to a federal prison visit

USP Terre Haute

Rules dated November 20, 2020 (6 years old)

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

Skirts and dresses No outer garments shorter than knee length (0 inches above knee).
Shorts Only children 12 and under may wear shorts above the knee.
Colors to avoid No khaki clothing. No orange clothing (USP and FCI). No maroon at the USP; no yellow at the FCI.
Leggings, spandex No yoga pants. No tight-fitting, suggestive 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 clothing.
Shoes Footwear must be closed back and toe, ankle height or lower. No flip-flop style, open-back, calf or knee-length footwear.
Children Children 12 and under may wear shorts above knee, but not sleeveless.
All 27 rules, in the BOP's own words

Length and fit

  • No outer garments shorter than knee length (0 inches above knee).Visitors will not be allowed any type of outer garments shorter than knee length in the Visiting Room.
  • Only children 12 and under may wear shorts above the knee.Children, 12 and under, are the only individuals who will be allowed to wear shorts above the knee.
  • No tank tops or sleeveless clothing.Tank tops, sleeveless clothing, low cut shirts, or see-through tops are not permitted.
  • No low-cut shirts.low cut shirts, or see-through tops
  • Shirts must cover the midriff standing and sitting.Shirts or blouses must cover the midriff while standing and or sitting.
  • No see-through tops.or see-through tops are not
  • No tight-fitting, suggestive clothing.Tight fitting, suggestive clothing is prohibited.
  • No yoga pants.medical scrubs, or yoga pants.
  • No sweat pants, athletic sweatshirts or jogging suits.sweat pants, athletic sweat shirts, jogging suits,

Colors and uniforms

  • No khaki clothing.Orange, Camouflage, Khaki, or Maroon colored
  • No orange clothing (USP and FCI).Visitors at the USP are prohibited from wearing any Orange, Camouflage, Khaki, or Maroon colored clothing.
  • No maroon at the USP; no yellow at the FCI.Visitors at the FCI are prohibited from wearing any Orange, Camouflage, Khaki, or Yellow colored clothing.
  • No camouflage clothing.prohibited from wearing any Orange, Camouflage,

Bras, underwear and metal

  • Only stud earrings and a wedding band; no non-clearing dermal piercings.Visitors will only be allowed to wear studded earrings and a wedding band;

Shoes

  • Footwear must be closed back and toe, ankle height or lower.Footwear should be closed back, short top or ankle height only.
  • No flip-flop style, open-back, calf or knee-length footwear.No calf or knee length, flip flop style, open back, or open toes footwear

Hats, hoods and coats

  • No ball caps, hats, bandanas, sweat bands or other headgear.No ball caps, hats, bandanas, sweat bands, or any other type of head gear,
  • Religious headgear allowed.with the exception of religious head gear.
  • No hooded shirts of any type.be allowed to wear hooded shirts of any type,
  • No coats, jackets, sweaters, blazers, cardigans or pullovers; hang on rack.Coats, including jackets, sweaters, blazers, cardigans, and pull overs, are not authorized to be worn in the Visiting Room;

Children

  • Children 12 and under may wear shorts above knee, but not sleeveless.They will not be allowed to wear tank tops or sleeveless clothing.

Everything else

  • No pants or shorts with cargo pockets.pants or shorts with cargo pockets,
  • No jerseys or medical scrubs.jersey’s, sweat pants, athletic sweat shirts, jogging suits, medical scrubs,
  • No watches, Fitbits or sunglasses.(untess medically prescribed) watches, wallets. Fitbit, purses, sunglasses,
  • No bejeweled clothing that won't clear security devices.Clothing that contains bejeweled decorations that will not clear the security devices will not be authorized.

If they say no

  • Visitor failing metal detector for clothing must leave, adjust and return.instructed to leave in order to make any adjustments necessary. They may return
  • Operations Lieutenant/IDO make final decision on questionable attire.The Operation Lieutenant and/or the IDO will make the final decision as to the appropriateness of the attire

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.