Report published 25 September 2023

HMP/YOI Askham Grange

Type of inspection: Full unannounced inspection

Dates of inspection: 19 June – 16 July 2023

Summary of findings: Askham Grange is a women’s open prison near York. Overwhelmingly safe and decent, the prison was also meeting its purpose to support women to prepare for the transition to life beyond prison walls, with more than three-quarters of women accessing some form of release on temporary licence (ROTL) and nearly half attending either education or employment in the community. There was excellent support to help women stay in touch with their family and friends as well as good support for women who had experienced trauma, including bereavement. Given the excellent support the prison provided, it was a wasted opportunity that a quarter of its spaces were empty.

Points to note: The range of initiatives to promote reading was impressive. These included placing a book on the bed of all new arrivals to encourage them to read and to promote the use of the library. The ‘blind date with a book’ project also enabled women to select a wrapped gift that provided a surprise read.

Read the report: HMP & YOI Askham Grange