What to Wear and How to Behave at a Visit to FCI McKean: Dress Code and Physical Contact Rules
Dress code and contact rules trip up visitors more than almost anything else. Here's what to avoid at FCI McKean—and some safe choices that'll keep you out of trouble.
FCI McKean follows Bureau of Prisons (BOP) dress restrictions, and they're stricter than most people expect. Bathing suits are out. So are revealing shorts, miniskirts, and any skirt that falls two inches or more above the knee. See-through garments, crop tops, low-cut blouses or dresses, and backless tops will get you turned away. The same goes for anything resembling inmate clothing - khaki or green military-style outfits are a quick no. Hats and caps aren't allowed in the visiting room either.
- ✓ Bathing suits
- ✓ Revealing shorts
- ✓ Miniskirts or skirts two inches or more above the knee
- ✓ See-through garments of any type
- ✓ Crop tops
- ✓ Low-cut blouses or dresses
- ✓ Backless tops
- ✓ Clothing that resembles inmate attire (khaki or green military-type clothing)
- ✓ Hats or caps
Note: Skip outfits that could be mistaken for inmate clothing - especially khaki or green military-type styles. Even if the fit is fine, the color/look alone can get you turned away.
If you're traveling any distance, don't gamble on an outfit that's
- ✓ Choose pants or a longer skirt instead of shorts or a miniskirt (avoid anything two inches or more above the knee)
- ✓ Wear a non-see-through top that isn’t crop-length, low-cut, or backless
- ✓ Avoid khaki or green military-type outfits that could resemble inmate clothing
- ✓ Leave hats and caps in the car
- ✓ Bring a plain sweater, cardigan, or jacket as a quick cover-up if your top is borderline
- ✓ If you’re debating whether something looks like a bathing suit (or beachwear), pick something else
Tip: Before you leave home, confirm FCI McKean’s facility-specific visiting policy so you know what they consider acceptable attire and items in the visiting room.
Physical contact at FCI McKean is limited. Handshakes, hugs, and kisses (kept tasteful) are typically allowed at the start and end of your visit. After that, keep things calm and appropriate - staff can restrict contact at any time for security reasons or to maintain order in the visiting area.
Note: Even if contact is normally allowed, staff can restrict or stop it based on security concerns or behavior in the visiting room.
- Stay calm and ask what rule you’re hitting - If you’re told your clothing or behavior isn’t allowed, ask politely which part of the visiting policy it violates.
- Ask what would fix it today - Sometimes adding a cover-up, removing a hat/cap, or changing out of an item that resembles inmate clothing is enough to continue.
- Keep physical contact minimal - Stick to what’s typically permitted (a handshake, hug, or kiss in good taste at the start/end) and follow any staff direction immediately.
- Request a supervisor if you still disagree - If you believe the rule is being applied inconsistently, ask whether a supervisor can clarify the facility’s interpretation.
- Follow up using the facility’s visiting policy - The BOP advises consulting the specific facility policy for local rules, so use that as your reference point when you ask for clarification after the fact.
Planning another visit? Double-check the schedule before you head back. Visiting hours are generally Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, but verify the exact days and times with FCI McKean directly - you don't want to show up when visits aren't running.
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