Visitation and Misconduct Among Maximum-Security Inmates

Abstract

This study adds to the literature by clarifying the effects of visitation on serious and violent misconduct among maximum-security inmates through the application of propensity score matching (PSM). Findings demonstrate that once the visited and nonvisited groups were matched on covariates of visitation, major violations were significantly influenced by visitation from family and friends. The visitation group experienced a 25% reduction in major, violent, and injurious acts of misconduct. Results are discussed from the perspective of social support theory.