Justice Minister, Dr Phillip Lee has praised staff at Foston Hall, during a recent visit to the South Derbyshire women’s prison.

Dr Lee went to the prison on Thursday, July 13 to meet the staff in charge of the centre and to receive first-hand information and how they support the women in their care.

The Minister spoke with governor for the prison, Andrea Black and other staff members to learn about the daily challenges that they face and how a reform in the system may help reduce the percentage of women who reoffend.

This visit follows recent investment of £100 million into the prison estate which will see 2,500 extra officers be made available to the system.

Foston Hall has already recruited four new officers, with a further four currently in training and will begin work in the coming months.

Dr Lee spoke following his visit, saying: “Prison officers at Foston Hall do a challenging job and work with a range of vulnerable women who need intensive help and support.

“I came here to express my gratitude to the governor and her team for the vital work they are doing to support prisoners, which will help reduce reoffending, cut crime and lead to fewer victims.

“We will continue to listen to them and all prison staff as we develop our strategy on female offenders and deliver on our important reforms to make prisons safe and cut reoffending.”

The Minister went to Foston Hall as part of a tour of prisons he is doing around the country, as he attempts to converse with staff who have to deal with women who may have suffered abuse and mental health problems in the past.