What to Wear When Visiting an Inmate, Dress Code Rules for Visitors

Getting turned away at the facility entrance because of what you are wearing is one of the most heartbreaking and avoidable experiences a visitor can have. Understanding the dress code before you leave home protects you and your loved one from a wasted visit.

While specific rules vary by facility, here are the standards that apply at most correctional facilities across the United States.

Clothing coverage

Modesty is the baseline requirement. Too much skin showing will result in you being turned away regardless of how far you traveled. Your midriff, chest, and shoulders must be covered. Low cut tops, crop tops, and anything revealing are not permitted.

Fit

Clothing must fit appropriately. Both extremes cause problems. Clothing that is too tight is considered inappropriate and will be rejected. Clothing that is too loose or baggy can be flagged as a potential security concern. Aim for clean, neat, and well-fitting.

Specific items not permitted

Shorts are not allowed regardless of length at most facilities. Tank tops and sleeveless shirts are not permitted. Hats and headgear of any kind are generally prohibited with limited exceptions for documented religious reasons. Open toed shoes including sandals and flip flops are not allowed. Closed toe shoes are required.

Colors

Many facilities prohibit visitors from wearing colors that match inmate uniforms, typically khaki, orange, or specific shades of blue or gray depending on the facility. Always check your specific facility's color restrictions before visiting as these vary.

What works

A safe and universally appropriate outfit for most facility visits is a solid colored top with sleeves that covers the shoulders and chest, full length pants or a skirt that falls below the knee, a properly fitted layer, and closed toe flat shoes. Simple, neat, and unremarkable is always the right approach.

Always verify before you go

Dress codes vary enough between facilities that checking the specific rules for your loved one's facility before every visit is worth the extra step. InmateAid's facility pages include visitation information and direct contact details for over 2,500 facilities so you can confirm current requirements before making the trip.

When in doubt dress more conservatively than you think you need to. The cost of being turned away is too high to risk.