Source · IMB Annual Report
Altcourse
Year: 2022
Published: 9 Dec 2022
Type: Prison · Cat B local remand
Recommendations: 7
Key concerns
Positive findings
HMP Altcourse remains a generally safe and humane prison, showing a reduction in self-harm and violence, and improved healthcare facilities. However, significant concerns persist regarding the containment of severely mentally unwell prisoners in unsuitable conditions and chronic staffing shortages impacting various services. The Board also highlights issues with the national food budget and a lack of external support following a 'cluster death site' designation.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 8 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 261 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 67 | — |
| Use of force | 431 | 695 |
Positive findings
The Board finds HMP Altcourse remains a safe prison, with continuing reductions in self-harm and violence, and general fair and humane treatment. Significant improvements include the refurbishment of the healthcare inpatient unit, the introduction of an in-house bakery, and new staff roles like IAG mentors and a wellbeing officer. Staff-prisoner relationships are noted as good, contributing to lower violence and use of force.
Key concerns
Mental Health
Repeated
Once again, the Board has highlighted the plight of severely mentally unwell men being contained in totally unsuitable conditions and without access to appropriate treatment for long periods of time before being transferred to appropriate secure units.
Education/Purposeful Activity
The lack of offence-related courses for men convicted of sexual offences is delaying their progression and could have a detrimental impact on public safety.
Food/Catering
Repeated
The national budget allowance for prisoners’ daily food is insufficient, particularly in the context of the current economic climate.
Safety
The prison was designated a ‘cluster death site’ in October 2021 but no additional support/training was forthcoming from the centre which would have been helpful in identifying any areas for development.
Staffing
Recruitment of staff has to be a priority to minimise the redeployment of staff from designated roles to cover for vacancies elsewhere.
Staffing
Repeated
Timely recruitment of a complaints clerk and family unit social worker to ensure that the current level of service in those areas is maintained.
Equality/Diversity
More focus on diversity in recruitment.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Once again, the Board has highlighted the plight of severely mentally unwell men being contained in totally unsuitable conditions and without access to appropriate treatment for long periods of time before being transferred to appropriate secure units. Repeated | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | The lack of offence-related courses for men convicted of sexual offences is delaying their progression and could have a detrimental impact on public safety. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 3 | The Board is of the opinion that the national budget allowance for prisoners’ daily food is insufficient, particularly in the context of the current economic climate. Repeated | HMPPS | |
| 4 | The prison was designated a ‘cluster death site’ in October 2021 but no additional support/training was forthcoming from the centre which would have been helpful in identifying any areas for development. | HMPPS | |
| 5 | Recruitment of staff has to be a priority to minimise the redeployment of staff from designated roles to cover for vacancies elsewhere. | Governor / Director | |
| 6 | Timely recruitment of a complaints clerk and family unit social worker to ensure that the current level of service in those areas is maintained. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 7 | More focus on diversity in recruitment. | Governor / Director |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 12 | 17 |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogue(s) | 7 | 16 |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 10 | 25 |
| Equality | 3 | 14 |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 10 | 32 |
| Food and kitchens | 13 | 26 |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 47 | 59 |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection restrictions | 19 | 31 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 16 | 29 |
| Property within this establishment | 17 | 25 |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, library, regime, time out of cell | 9 | 16 |
| Sentence management, including HDC, release on temporary licence, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 12 | 71 |
Related inspections & investigations
7 Jul 2025
HMIP · Unannounced
Other reports for Altcourse
Report details
- Establishment
- Altcourse
- Type
- Prison · Cat B local remand
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 9 December 2022
- Responsible body
- HMP Altcourse
- Recommendations
- 7
- MoJ rating (2024/25)
- 2 — Concern
Population
| Operational capacity | 1,164 |
Service providers
Accommodation support
The Salvation Army
Catering
Aramark
Counselling
Rethink
Creche staffing
PSS (Person Shaped Services)
Education
Novus
Housing resettlement
Seetec Group
Prison operator
G4S
Resettlement
Interventions Alliance
Social care
Community Independent Living