Askham Grange was Anglo-Irish penal reformer Mary Size, who remained in post from January 1947 until her retirement from the prison service in September 1952.

In 1979, two inmates, Jenny Hicks and Jackie Holborough, founded the Clean Break (theatre company) at Askham Grange.

[7][8] Today Clean Break is a theatre, education and new writing company that works with women whose lives have been affected by the criminal justice system.

[11] In 2001 two inmates from Askham Grange launched a High Court battle for the right to keep their babies with them in prison beyond the age of 18 months.

The challenge failed, but launched a wider debate in the media about mother's rights and their children in prison.