What Is Foston Hall Prison Like?
Last reviewed: June 2026
If a woman you care about has been sent to Foston Hall, this guide explains what the prison is, who it holds, what daily life is like, and the practical things — visits, calls, sending money — that matter most early on. We have written it calmly, for families going through a stressful time.
The basics: a closed women’s prison in Derbyshire
Foston Hall is near the village of Foston in Derbyshire, set in the grounds of a former country house. It is a closed Category women’s prison and young offender institution with capacity for around 296 to 299 women. Because it serves a wide function, it holds women at very different stages: some recently remanded or beginning short sentences, others serving long or indeterminate sentences, including life, for serious offences.
Being smaller and rural, Foston Hall can feel less overwhelming than a large city prison, but the distance can make visiting harder for families who live far away. It is worth planning travel in advance and asking about assisted visits schemes if cost or distance is a barrier.
| Feature | HMP & YOI Foston Hall |
|---|---|
| Type | Closed women’s prison and young offender institution |
| Location | Foston, Derbyshire |
| Capacity | Around 296–299 |
| Who it holds | Remand, short and long sentences, including life |
| Run by | HM Prison and Probation Service (public sector) |
What daily life is like
Daily life at Foston Hall includes education, work, healthcare and time on the unit. As a women’s prison, it puts significant emphasis on mental-health and substance-misuse support, because so many women in custody have experienced trauma, abuse or addiction. The most recent HM Inspectorate of Prisons inspection, in early 2025, found tentative but real progress since the previous visit: a new governor and deputy governor had brought greater stability, improved daily routines and stronger accountability.
At the same time, inspectors rated safety as only “not sufficiently good” — an improvement on the previous “poor” rating, but a reminder that self-harm and distress remain real challenges. If your relative is struggling in the early days, encourage her to talk to staff, healthcare or the Listeners (trained prisoners offering confidential peer support).
Visits, phone calls and sending money
Social visits at Foston Hall are booked in advance. A newly arrived woman often cannot call home immediately, because she needs approved numbers and credit on her account first — this delay is normal. For current visiting times, booking and what you can take in, check the official Foston Hall prison page on GOV.UK.
To add money for phone credit and the canteen, use the free government send money to a prisoner service. You can also find our contact and visiting details on the HMP Foston Hall information page, and an overview of the area’s prisons in our guide to which prisons are in Derbyshire.
How Foston Hall compares
Foston Hall is one of England’s closed women’s prisons, smaller and more rural than HMP Bronzefield, the largest women’s prison. The two share the same closed conditions and focus on rehabilitation and support, but Foston Hall’s country setting and smaller size give it a different feel.
- “A country-house setting means it’s an open prison.” No — Foston Hall is a closed prison, despite its rural grounds.
- “It only holds short sentences.” It holds the full range, including women serving long and indeterminate sentences.
- “No call on day one means something is wrong.” New arrivals usually cannot phone until numbers are approved and there is credit on the account.
- “A smaller prison must be easier.” Smaller can feel less overwhelming, but women’s prisons still carry high levels of vulnerability and need.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of prison is Foston Hall?
It is a closed women’s prison and young offender institution in Derbyshire, holding around 296 women.
Is it an open prison?
No. Despite the country-house grounds, it is a closed prison.
What sentences do women there serve?
A wide range — from remand and short sentences to long and indeterminate terms, including life.
Is Foston Hall safe?
A 2025 inspection found improving leadership and routines, but rated safety only “not sufficiently good.” Support is available, and any woman who feels unsafe should speak to staff.
Where can I check official information?
Use the GOV.UK Foston Hall page for visits and contact, HM Inspectorate of Prisons for inspection reports, and the Prison Reform Trust for background on women in prison.
New to the system? See our guides to arriving at prison (reception) and going into prison.
