Doncaster

Inside the prison and daily life

Doncaster is a Category B local resettlement prison operated by Serco. It holds a male population that includes adults and young men aged 18 to 20.

Its resettlement role places particular emphasis on prisoners serving sentences of less than 12 months. For those men, preparation for release has to take place within a relatively short period of custody.

Most prisoners leaving Doncaster return to South Yorkshire. Support during imprisonment therefore has a local connection, with the aim of helping people understand and access services when they return to the community.

Role and background

The prison serves communities across South Yorkshire, particularly Doncaster, Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley. It also receives young adults from West Yorkshire.

Anyone travelling to the prison should check current registration, identification and arrival instructions, rather than assuming arrangements are the same as at another establishment.

Visiting and family contact

Family contact is managed through approved social visits and video-call arrangements. Separate information is available for professional visitors, and relatives can use permitted email and money services.

Safety or wellbeing concerns can be raised through the prison's welfare contact arrangements. Those concerns should be distinguished from routine questions about booking a visit.

Practical advice before you make arrangements

Use Doncaster's official page below for its current booking route, required identification, permitted items and travel instructions.

Confirm that the person is still at Doncaster and that your visit has been accepted before making travel arrangements. Ask the prison in advance about disability access, medication or children's needs.