Foston Hall

Inside the prison and daily life

Foston Hall is a prison and young offender institution for women aged 18 and over in Derbyshire. Its residential accommodation is organised across seven units.

Education and vocational courses include cleaning services, hairdressing and beauty therapy. Women can also gain experience and qualifications through the gardens, gym, textile workshop and kitchens.

Role and background

New arrivals enter a first-night centre, where staff assess immediate health and wellbeing needs. They are offered a meal and essential items and can contact a family member.

The prison offers an accredited thinking-skills programme, alongside a separate anger-management course. These provide different forms of personal development and should not be treated as identical qualifications.

Family and friends should confirm the latest booking, identification and entry requirements before travelling to the prison.

Visiting and family contact

An induction of about a week introduces prison rules, welfare services, education and arrangements for calls and visits. Peer listeners provide another source of support during difficult periods in custody.

Approved temporary release can be used for community work experience, family contact and preparation for leaving custody. It remains subject to individual eligibility and conditions.

Practical advice before you make arrangements

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

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