HMP Bronzefield: Visiting, Contact and Key Facts
Last reviewed: July 2026
| Key fact | HMP & YOI Bronzefield |
|---|---|
| Type | Closed women’s prison and YOI – reception and resettlement |
| Who it holds | Around 500 women – remand, sentenced, young adults and restricted status; mother and baby unit on site |
| Operator | Sodexo (since opening) |
| Opened | 2004 – the UK’s only purpose-built private prison solely for women |
| Address | HMP Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, Surrey TW15 3JZ |
| Switchboard | 01784 425690 |
| Visit booking | [email protected] or 01784 425749 (Mon–Fri mornings) |
What kind of prison is HMP Bronzefield?
Bronzefield opened in 2004 and is often described as the largest women’s prison in Europe. It does several jobs at once: it receives women straight from courts across London and the South East (many on remand or serving short sentences – the average stay is under two months), it holds long-sentenced and restricted-status women, it accommodates young adult women, and it runs a mother and baby unit. That mix makes it a very busy place with constant arrivals and departures. It is run by Sodexo rather than HMPPS, so some procedures – especially visit booking – differ from public prisons.
What inspectors found
HM Inspectorate of Prisons inspected Bronzefield in August 2025 (report published October 2025). Inspectors found the prison doing reasonably well in many areas, praising the care for vulnerable women, support into employment after release, and the focus on young women. But they also found women spending too little time out of their cells, regime interruptions disrupting work and education, and variable staff–prisoner relationships; too many women were released without stable accommodation. The Independent Monitoring Board’s 2024–25 report raised serious concerns about acutely mentally unwell women being held there, with hospital transfers regularly exceeding the 28-day target. If you are worried about a woman’s mental health at Bronzefield, contact the safer custody team via the switchboard and keep raising it. The full report is on the HMIP website.
Visiting someone at HMP Bronzefield
Book by emailing [email protected] with the prisoner’s name and the names, dates of birth and relationship of everyone visiting, or phone 01784 425749 on weekday mornings (roughly 8.30am to 1pm). Social visits typically run Monday to Thursday afternoons (around 2.15pm to 5.15pm), Saturday mornings and afternoons, and Sunday afternoons, with monthly children’s and extended family visits – but confirm your slot when booking as times change. Bring photo ID and proof of address; children can attend and the visits hall has a play area.
Contacting a prisoner and sending money
Women at Bronzefield have in-cell phones and can call approved numbers, often making evening contact easier than in many prisons – but you cannot ring in. Letters need the woman’s full name and prison number. Send money via the free GOV.UK Send money to someone in prison service. Our guide on contacting someone in prison explains every route, including email services.
The first weeks inside
Arrival at a busy reception prison is frightening, and for many women at Bronzefield it is their first time in custody. Our founder Daniel Hockey served a sentence himself (HMP Wandsworth through to open conditions at HMP Ford) and wrote The Secret Prisoner (2021); while the women’s estate differs in important ways, his core advice holds: get phone numbers approved on day one, ask staff about induction and healthcare early, and keep in close touch with family. Read more about Daniel here, and see our first night in prison guide.
• Booking through GOV.UK – Bronzefield visits are booked by email or phone with the prison directly, because it is privately run.
• Assuming a short stay means no support – even remand prisoners can access healthcare, education and resettlement help; ask for it.
• Not naming every visitor in the booking email – anyone not on the booking will be turned away.
• Posting cash or vouchers – use the official GOV.UK money service.
Frequently asked questions
Is HMP Bronzefield a men’s or women’s prison?
Women only. It holds adult and young adult women of all security categories, including a small number of restricted-status prisoners.
Does Bronzefield have a mother and baby unit?
Yes. Places must be applied for and approved; the unit allows mothers to keep babies with them, usually up to 18 months old.
Who runs Bronzefield?
Sodexo has run it since it opened in 2004. It is one of two private women’s prisons in England, alongside HMP Peterborough’s women’s side.
How do I book a visit?
Email [email protected] or ring 01784 425749 on weekday mornings. Book at least a few days ahead.
When will she be released?
Most women serve short determinate sentences, and the Sentencing Act 2026 earned-release rules (in force since 22 March 2026) mean many now qualify for release from around one third of the sentence. See our sentence guide.
Sources: GOV.UK – Bronzefield prison; HMIP inspection 2025; HMP Bronzefield (Sodexo) official site. See our full HMP prison list.
