I am sure it is normal to feel nervous during the first visit. I joined this support group as a graduate student in the school counseling field. I am doing an assignment on families that have loved ones in prison and the best type of support groups for them. Although I have never been in the situation I am sure others in this support group can give you some great advice. Just remain positive and try to enjoy your time together. Please write back after your visit and let us all know how it went!

First visits are nerve racking! My fiance is in a state medium camp, and I was nervous about everything (security,our conversation,ect). Once I got to see him, hug/kiss him some of that nervousness melted away. Now I must say I was shocked when I first saw him in processing because he lost so much weight and had been sick. I kept that shock hidden and cried after I got to my car that day. All I can say, is we are now months into this and we never lack in conversation (get 2 hrs visit). In fact we hate saying good-bye. I will say the emotions will hit, but try to focus on your daughter and make the most of your time together. Praying for a sweet visit for you both. :)

I'd imagine a federal prison visit is much like a state prison visit....so I'll give you the rundown from my experiences. First, don't be nervous. Don't wear excessive jewelry or an underwire bra- it will make your life easier. dress comfortably you'll be sitting a while and you might as well be comfortable. I would only take in a small coin purse with some change and small bills, your ID and car key. You'll go into the prison, they'll check you in. You'll go through a metal detector and/or a pat down. You'll get the visitor pass...and be taken, or shown where the visiting room is. You'll sit at the table and wait for your daughter.
When your daughter comes in...emotions will run high...You'll probably all cry a little. It's normal, natural, and expected. You'll hug, then sit down. I really doubt you'll run out of things to talk about. If you think it will help, you could make a list of ideas of things to talk about...and look it over before you go in for the visit.
The first day will be the roughest in the beginning, and the last day will be roughest leaving. While you aren't at the prison, try to do something nice for yourself and your husband. Usually when I go for a couple days...I make sure the hotel has a pool, we go out to a nice dinner, do a little shopping or find a park or cemetery to walk in. Making it into a bit of a holiday seems to take the edge off the intensity of the situation.
You'll be fine though...I'm confident of that. Enjoy your visit :)

The first time I visited my fiance, I was very nervous and trembling all over my body. The other women there visiting were actually very kind to me- I was as white as a ghost and I think they noticed. The visit was both wonderful and terrible. Finally seeing him, being hugged, looking into his eyes, all these things made me feel so much! I tried to be as calm as I could for him. I did not cry. I gathered all my inner strength and tried to be there for him- until I got to my car, where I just sat afterwards, a total mess.
Are you going alone? If you have someone to go with you, good. You will feel so much. You will be happy and sad and nervous and when it's time to leave you will NOT want to leave your daughter there. That was the hardest part.
Everything will be all right, and as you visit more, you will become accustomed to it. It's remarkable what we can endure, especially for the ones we love. If you tell yourself that you are there for her, you will get through it and be all right.
I'm wishing you the very best.

oh, I forgot to add...park your car, facing away from the prison. When you leave the visit, don't look behind you at all. Go through processing and back to the car and leave. Looking over your shoulder just makes it hurt more.

Reading the other replies just made me think of another tip. Call ahead and ask the prison for their rules on what to bring/wear to visits. Just from processing to the prison camp I found rules changed- processing was actually nicer about visits. One lady the other week forget to leave her cell phone in the car and they wouldn't let her through (she couldn't ever leave it at the guard's desk); while another lady's underwire bra kept her out. So call ahead and pat yourself down before going in. :)

Have a change in your car that includes shoes oh and a box of tissues as well for after! I take my money car key and ID in a small clear bag so they ( the grads can see what's in it) defiantly call before you go to check on the rules every place is a bit different.
The first visit can be scary ( it was for me) so deep breaths! No you won't run out of things to talk about so don't worry.
Hugs and enjoy your visit!

Thanks everyone for your replies. I just bought a new bra ;)
I'm surprised you can carry Kleenx in. Do you just fold them up and put in your pocket? Is it okay to wear a watch and my wedding ring?
Can you wear a coat inside? I'm addicted to Chapstick. Is that out too?

Don't take the chap stick in! It might be a idea to get some cloth hankys they get a bit iffy about tissues as well so keep them in your car......sorry I should of said that in my post. Call the prison about the coat if you can ware it in take everything out of the pockets of it and they might xray it.....I know they do that hear. You should be ok with your ring and watch.

My husband is in a federal camp, I imagine the women's is a lot like the men's so I'll give you my experience. Always keep an extra set of clothes in you car just in case something your wearing doesn't meet their standards, you don't have to wear a special bra because camps do not have metal detectors you have to walk through, the only thing you can bring in and always in a clear bag is your car key, license and one dollar bills and quarter's they might have a change machine for 5's but just to be safe bring ones. When you first arrive you will have to fill out a visitor form so if you don't know her inmate # write it down, after you are processed go right to the vending machines because they empty fast and I mean fast especially because this is school vacation week and the visitor's room should be crowded. Most camps are pretty layed back they may have games are magazines some even have playing cards just ask. I don't think you'll run out of things to talk about because it is your first visit and I'm sure you will have lot's of nervous energy. Try and get there early too because it will be busy, maybe the night before take a ride and find the prison so you know where you are going in the morning. I can't think of anything else but if I do I'll post again. Try and relax and enjoy the visit I'm sure it will be a lot easier then you think. Let us know how it went when you get home.
Hugs,
Pat

Appreciate the info, the visiting time is 8-5 but my daughter said they count at 10 so I should wait and check-in at 1030. Does that sound about right in your experience? It never occurred to me kids would be visiting due to the holiday.