Free tool · Visiting
What to wear to a federal prison visit
USP Terre Haute
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 | 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
- 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.