The children's visits with their mothers occur in the regular visiting room which is temporarily converted into a playroom. When the weather permits, visits are conducted in the prison yard. Children are not accompanied by other adults, so as to ensure that they spend time alone with their mothers. There are no uniformed officers present. Mothers and children are free to move about the room. Aside from group activities, such as singing and reading stories at the beginning and the end of each visit, mothers and their children are free to spend their time as they choose. Toys, games, art, books, and other educational materials are provided. Some of the children have been in the same visiting group for more than 2 years and thus develop friendships with other children in the group. They are comforted by sharing their problems with peers who understand and identify with them. A network of community volunteers provides transportation for children who live far from the prison and have no means of getting to the prison. At the end of each visit, the children meet with a staff member to discuss their feelings about the visit. Mothers also have a debriefing after visits to discuss their feelings. The visits relieve the fears and anxieties that the separation causes both children and mothers.