Angola's Visitor Dress Code: What the Rules Actually Say (and What to Verify at the Gate)

Louisiana DOC treats visitation as a privilege, not a right. Show up out of compliance and staff can end the visit, restrict the incarcerated person's visiting privileges, ban you from the institution or grounds, or even pursue criminal charges. The safest approach: dress conservatively and assume the rules will be enforced at the door.

Avoid anything that could be mistaken for a uniform. Louisiana DOC prohibits clothing that resembles what incarcerated people wear and clothing that looks like correctional staff attire. That includes camouflage patterns and blue BDU-style clothing.

Skip anything see-through or meant for the pool. Sheer or transparent clothing is not permitted, and neither are swim suits. Several common warm-weather top styles are also barred: strapless, tube, halter, and tank tops, plus strapless dresses. Undergarments have to be worn at all times and cannot be exposed. That means outfits with low necklines, loose armholes, or thin fabrics that show underlayers are a bad bet. On the bottom half, tight-fitting pants like spandex, lycra, spandex-like athletic pants, exercise tights, leotards, and similar styles are not allowed. If you're deciding between leggings and regular pants, go with regular pants.

Rips and "distressed" styles can get you stopped too. Clothing with revealing holes or tears higher than one inch above the kneecap is not permitted. Jeans that look fine standing up can become a problem once you sit down or move. Headwear is another frequent snag. Hats or other head coverings are not permitted unless they are required by your religious beliefs.

Here's one spot where Louisiana DOC's posted guidance contradicts itself: skirt and short length. One DOC visitor-guidelines page says skirts, shorts, skorts, culottes, and dresses must be no shorter than three inches above the kneecap (and cannot have deep or revealing slits). A separate DOC location page for Louisiana State Penitentiary says skirts, shorts, skorts, culottes, and dresses shorter than one inch above the kneecap (or those with revealing slits) are inappropriate. Two different measurements, same facility. Expect enforcement to depend on what staff accept at the entrance that day.

Even when you follow the written guidance, final approval still happens at the door. Because visitation is a privilege and rule violations can lead to a visit being terminated or a visitor being banned, pick the most conservative option whenever a guideline is unclear or inconsistent.

Practical and Next Steps

• ✓ Long pants (jeans or slacks) that are not tight or leggings
• ✓ A knee-length or longer skirt or dress (if you prefer not to wear pants)
• ✓ A regular shirt with sleeves that fully covers your midriff when you raise your arms
• ✓ Fabrics you cannot see through in bright light
• ✓ Simple layers you can remove if it is hot (avoid sheer cover-ups)
• ✓ Plain, neutral colors and patterns (skip anything that looks like a uniform)
• ✓ Shoes you can walk in comfortably, without relying on “athletic tight” outfits

1. Stay calm and ask what rule you tripped. A quick, respectful question can save you from guessing and making the same mistake twice.
2. Ask if a small adjustment would fix it. Sometimes it is about a single item (like a top style or tight pants), and you may be able to change.
3. Decide whether you can change and return. If you have a backup outfit, switching is usually faster than arguing.
4. If you cannot fix it that day, leave and try again. Visitation can be terminated or denied, and pushing back can make things worse for you and for your loved one.
5. Use what you learned to plan the next visit. Dress more conservatively than you think you need to, especially with skirt and short length.