HMP/YOI Foston Hall: Women’s Closed Prison in Derbyshire – Full Guide
Last reviewed: July 2026
Foston Hall is often the first prison a woman from the Midlands will arrive at after court, so families usually come to this page anxious and short of information. Here is a calm, practical rundown of what the prison is, what the inspectors have said recently, and how to arrange a visit.
Key facts at a glance
| Detail | HMP/YOI Foston Hall |
|---|---|
| Type | Women’s closed prison and YOI; reception/committal prison |
| Who it holds | Remand and sentenced women, 18+ |
| Population | Around 300 (295 at the January 2025 inspection) |
| Address | Foston, Derby DE65 5DN |
| Visit booking | Phone 01283 584357, at least 48 hours ahead |
| Switchboard | 01283 584300 |
| Turnover | Very high – over 1,100 receptions in the year before the 2025 inspection |
What kind of prison is Foston Hall?
Foston Hall is one of the twelve women’s prisons in England. The women’s estate does not use the A-to-D security categories that apply to men (explained in our guide to prison categories); instead prisons are simply “closed” or “open”, and Foston Hall is closed. It serves the courts of the Midlands as a reception prison, which means a constant flow of women arriving on remand or newly sentenced, many in crisis, with roughly 55 women released every month. If your loved one has just been taken there, our guide to the first night in prison explains what she will be going through in those early days, and how quickly you can expect the first phone call.
What inspectors say – and the progress since
HM Inspectorate of Prisons carried out a full inspection in January 2025. The findings were difficult reading: Foston Hall recorded the highest number of violent incidents in the women’s estate (though most were not serious, and violence against staff was falling), self-harm remained far too high, and 42% of women said drugs were easy to get. Inspectors also found some staff inexperienced or dismissive, and noted the absence of an X-ray body scanner at the gate. The overall verdict was “tentative progress” since a poor 2021 inspection.
Importantly, HMIP returned in December 2025 for an Independent Review of Progress and found good or reasonable progress on almost all of its concerns – a genuinely encouraging sign, even though drugs were still getting in. Both reports are on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website. It is worth holding both truths at once: this is a prison with real problems, and one that is measurably improving.
Visiting Foston Hall
Visits are booked by telephone on 01283 584357, at least 48 hours in advance. You will need the prisoner’s name, date of birth and prison number, and you must be on her visitor list. Bring accepted photo ID on the day. The prison is in the village of Foston on the A50 corridor, roughly ten miles west of Derby and easiest to reach by car; there is a visitors’ centre at the gate. Before you travel, read our guides on how to visit a prisoner and the visiting rules, and consider sending money so she can buy phone credit and canteen items. Official contact details are on the GOV.UK Foston Hall page.
• “She’s on remand, so she can’t have visits.” Wrong – remand prisoners are entitled to more frequent visits than sentenced prisoners.
• “I can book a visit online like other prisons.” Foston Hall visits are booked by phone; the national online service does not cover every prison.
• “The headlines mean she isn’t safe.” The 2025 inspection was critical, but most violence recorded was low-level, and the December 2025 follow-up found genuine improvement. Stay in regular contact and raise concerns with the prison’s safer custody team if you have them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Foston Hall a men’s or women’s prison?
Women only. It holds adult women and young adult women aged 18 and over.
How do I find out if someone is at Foston Hall?
Use the GOV.UK find a prisoner service, or wait for her to contact you – she will usually be able to phone within the first day or two.
What support is there for women who self-harm?
The prison runs the standard ACCT care-planning process for women at risk, alongside mental health services. The 2025 inspection pressed for more consistent care, and the December 2025 review found progress. If you are worried about someone, tell the prison – families’ information is taken seriously.
Can she be moved to an open prison later?
Yes. Women assessed as low risk can transfer to open conditions at East Sutton Park or Askham Grange – see our guide to open prisons.
Sources: GOV.UK – Foston Hall prison; HM Inspectorate of Prisons; Prison Reform Trust.
