What is Altcourse Prison Like?

If you’ve ever wondered what life is really like behind the walls of HM Prison Altcourse, you're not alone. This privately run prison and young offender institution sits in the Fazakerley area of Liverpool and holds male prisoners from across Merseyside and Cheshire. Opened in 1997 and operated today by Sodexo, it has capacity for around 1,164 inmates. But statistics only tell part of the story.

Location, management and purpose

HMP Altcourse occupies a modern site in north‑west Liverpool. Originally built under a Private Finance Initiative, it was managed by G4S until 2023, when Sodexo took over. The prison is classed as Category B, meaning it holds men who do not need the highest security levels but cannot be trusted in open conditions. It also accommodates young offenders and remand prisoners, aiming to keep people close to home and provide opportunities for reform.

Accommodation and living conditions

Accommodation at Altcourse is spread across seven house blocks, each with its own character. Cells are a mix of single and shared rooms, and each is equipped with a toilet and an emergency call button to summon staff. The design ensures that occupancy does not exceed the intended capacity so that space and safety are not compromised. Some units have special purposes: the Foinavon wing has a family unit and enhanced prisoners’ section, while Furlong houses people undergoing detoxification or substance misuse recovery.

Education, work and facilities

Daily life in Altcourse isn’t solely about containment. The management has long stressed rehabilitation and education. Working with The Manchester College, the prison offers courses ranging from basic literacy to vocational training. There is a well‑stocked library run by Sefton Library Services, a multi‑faith chaplaincy and a 24‑hour healthcare service. Inmates can learn practical skills through workshops such as gardening, recycling and barista training, giving them experience that could help after release.

Meal times are organised on a three‑week rotation to balance nutrition and variety, with menus catering for religious and dietary requirements. Outside of structured activity, prisoners have access to the gym, religious hall and education centre; these facilities are separated from the residential units by a secure central complex.

Opportunities to maintain family ties

Maintaining contact with family is widely recognised as a key part of rehabilitation. Visitors at Altcourse must pre‑book their visits and provide identification on arrival; security checks are thorough, yet staff aim to create a welcoming environment. Regular visiting hours and family days help prisoners maintain relationships, and a Safer Custody team provides additional support to those who are vulnerable or struggling with mental health.

Challenges and criticisms

Despite its modern design and rehabilitative aims, Altcourse faces challenges common across the UK prison system. The Independent Monitoring Board and other observers have highlighted problems with overcrowding – at one point the prison held more than 1,300 inmates – and an influx of drugs and mobile phones. Reports in recent years have noted the prevalence of the synthetic drug Spice, gang‑related violence and understaffing. Overcrowded wings can limit access to education and work programmes, undermining rehabilitation.

The bigger picture

HMP Altcourse illustrates the tension between idealistic visions of prison as a place of reform and the daily realities of managing large numbers of people with complex needs. The prison continues to develop new strategies to address drugs, violence and staffing shortages. At the same time, its investments in education, health care and family contact show a commitment to giving prisoners a chance to turn their lives around.

Ultimately, what Altcourse is “like” depends on who you ask. Some former prisoners speak positively about opportunities for education and work, while others point to safety concerns and overcrowding. What’s clear is that this Category B prison offers a mixture of structured programmes and genuine challenges. By understanding both sides, we can have a more balanced conversation about imprisonment and rehabilitation in the UK.