What Is HMP Askham Grange Like?
Last reviewed: July 2026
If your relative or friend is being moved to Askham Grange, it is usually good news: it means they are trusted, low risk and getting ready to come home. This guide explains what an open women’s prison is really like and what to expect.
Who Askham Grange holds
Askham Grange is one of only a small number of women’s open prisons in England. Women are normally transferred there after serving time elsewhere, to complete the final part of their sentence — often the last stretch of up to three years. To be there they must be assessed as posing a low risk of escape or harm. The prison also runs a mother and baby unit, allowing a small number of mothers to keep their babies with them.
Key facts at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Askham Richard, near York, North Yorkshire |
| Category | Women’s open prison (Category D) |
| Focus | Resettlement and preparation for release |
| Approx. capacity | Around 128 women |
| Special facility | Mother and baby unit |
What daily life is like
Open conditions feel very different from a closed prison. Askham Grange is set in a former country house with grounds, and women are not locked in cells in the same way. The emphasis is on responsibility and preparing for normal life: paid or voluntary work, education and training, and gradually building up to release on temporary licence (ROTL) — day release for work or training, and home leave to see family before the end of the sentence. This staged return to the community is one of the biggest benefits of an open prison.
Resettlement and family
Because resettlement is the whole point of Askham Grange, there is strong support around housing, employment, benefits and family ties, and generally more generous visiting than a closed prison. The mother and baby unit allows eligible mothers to care for their babies while continuing their sentence, subject to a formal assessment focused on the child’s welfare. Some older parts of the site have needed repair and investment, which has been a focus of recent inspections.
- “Open prison means anyone can come and go.” No. Women earn temporary licence step by step, and there are strict rules; breaking them can mean a return to closed conditions.
- “Everyone can bring their baby.” Mother and baby places are limited and decided by a careful welfare assessment.
- “There are no rules because it is relaxed.” It is still a prison, with roll checks, curfews and expectations about work and behaviour.
Visiting and staying in touch
Open prisons usually offer more relaxed and frequent visits, but you still need to be on the approved visitor list and book in advance. You can also keep in touch by phone, letters and Email a Prisoner, and send credit through the official Send money to someone in prison service. For full visiting times and directions, see our main HMP Askham Grange guide.
A note from experience
Our founder Daniel Hockey progressed to open conditions himself, moving from HMP Wandsworth to HMP Ford, so he knows how much the shift to an open prison can lift someone’s spirits. His encouragement to families is to support the ROTL and home-leave process, which rebuilds normal life a step at a time. Read more on our About Daniel Hockey page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Askham Grange a low-security prison?
Yes. It is a Category D open prison, the lowest security level, for women assessed as low risk and close to release.
Can women leave the prison during the day?
Eligible women can be granted release on temporary licence for work, training or home leave, earned gradually and subject to strict conditions.
Can a mother keep her baby at Askham Grange?
There is a mother and baby unit, but places are limited and granted only after a welfare assessment focused on the child’s best interests.
How do women get sent to an open prison?
They are risk-assessed and transferred from a closed prison, usually for the final part of their sentence.
Useful links
Related guides: HMP Askham Grange full guide, What can you send to a prisoner? Official sources: GOV.UK – Askham Grange and HM Inspectorate of Prisons.
