What to Wear (and What You Can Touch) During a Visit at Petersburg Low FCI
Dress code and contact rules trip up visitors more than almost anything else. Here's how to dress so you don't get turned away—and what physical contact is actually allowed in the visiting room.
For visits at Petersburg Low FCI, dress like you're headed to a casual but conservative public event - covered, simple, nothing flashy. The BOP's rule is clear: clothing that's inappropriate, provocative, or revealing can get you turned away. If you're second-guessing an outfit, swap it for something more modest. Don't test the rule at the front desk - your visit could end before it starts.
Checklist Avoid
- ✓ Revealing shorts
- ✓ Halter tops
- ✓ Bathing suits
- ✓ See-through garments of any type
- ✓ Crop tops
- ✓ Low-cut blouses or dresses
- ✓ Leotards
- ✓ Spandex
- ✓ Miniskirts
- ✓ Backless tops
- ✓ Hats or caps
- ✓ Sleeveless garments
- ✓ Skirts two inches or more above the knee
- ✓ Dresses or skirts with a high-cut split in the back, front, or side
- ✓ Clothing that looks like inmate clothing (khaki or green military-type clothing)
Physical contact in the visiting room is limited. You can share a brief hug, handshake, or quick kiss at the start and end of your visit - that's it. During the visit, staff may step in if contact goes beyond what they consider appropriate. If an officer asks you to stop or adjust, listen. Ignoring them can end your visit early.
By law, people in BOP custody get at least four hours of visiting time per month. Many facilities offer more. That said, the Warden can restrict visits when needed - especially to prevent overcrowding - so how much time you actually get depends on how busy the visiting room is.
BOP facilities typically hold visiting on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Some also offer weekday hours. Don't assume the schedule - always check Petersburg Low FCI's official visiting regulations on its BOP web page before you leave home. Weekends fill up fast, and some institutions limit visits to either Saturday or Sunday depending on the inmate's housing assignment.
Pre Visit Checklist
- ✓ Make sure you’re on the inmate’s approved visiting list and cleared by the BOP before you try to visit
- ✓ Bring a valid government-issued photo ID
- ✓ Dress for a mixed public setting (men, women, and children)
- ✓ Avoid provocative or revealing clothing so you don’t get denied visitation
- ✓ Verify Petersburg Low FCI’s visiting hours on the facility’s BOP web page (don’t rely on old info)
- ✓ Keep the monthly minimum in mind: at least four hours of visiting time per month, with limits possible if the visiting room is overcrowded
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