Drawing on survey data collected from 396 visitors to inmates at a medium-security prison, this research examines the experience of visiting inmates from the visitor's perspective. Data include visitors' demographics, relationships to inmates, social, psychological, and emotional contexts of visits, barriers to visitation, other means of maintaining contact, and perceptions of the visitation program. Analysis also shows that visitors'age, race, education, and frequency of visits are significantly related to perceptions of the visitation experience and environment. Discussion of the value of visitation programs and how correctional administrators can best structure and operate visitation programs is provided.
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