Prison
Cat B local and remand
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Altcourse
IMB Annual Report 2023 · Published 24 November 2023
HMP Altcourse experienced significant challenges this year, primarily due to the transition to Sodexo management and severe staff shortages affecting all areas from safety to regime. While there were positive developments in food quality, GP waiting times, and some purposeful activity, persistent concerns remain regarding mental health transfers, the daily regime for meals, and the effectiveness of resettlement provision. The Board emphasizes the critical need for improved staff recruitment and retention to ensure stability and safety.
Positive Findings
The prison has reinforced the use of non-punitive measures for managing behaviour and shown improvements in food quality and quantity since June 2023. GP waiting lists have improved, and enhanced external employment opportunities on release have been developed. The IMB is impressed with ongoing work to prevent illicit items, and the induction process is working satisfactorily. The prison's hygiene audit score significantly improved, and staff in the segregation unit maintain good rapport with prisoners. Chaplaincy services are highly regarded, and the use of peer supporters has reduced formal complaints. Nursing vacancies have been filled under the new healthcare contract, and prisoners in the inpatient unit are well cared for. Popular PT courses, substance misuse programs with high completion rates, and charity events involving prisoners and staff demonstrate positive engagement. Employment hubs and a neurodiversity support manager are welcome initiatives. Offender management consistently meets targets, and the multi-agency resettlement board is successful. Family services have improved, and new strategic roles are mitigating issues with resettlement provision.
Key Concerns
Staffing
Repeated
Staffing shortages across key areas, including admissions, MDT, healthcare, and education, detrimentally impacting safety, regime, and service delivery.
Mental Health
Repeated
Persistent delays in the transfer of mentally unwell prisoners to secure hospital facilities.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The failure to reinstate the pre-pandemic regime for prisoners eating out of cell.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
Ongoing issues with prisoners' lost property.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The failure of Seetec to deliver on their resettlement contract.
Food/Catering
Repeated
The inadequacy of the daily allowance for prisoners’ food, particularly in the current economic climate.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing shortages were exacerbated by uncertainties following the contract transfer to Sodexo and an inability to match public sector prison salaries, detrimentally impacting all areas of the prison. Vacancies, particularly in reception and MDT, led to increased workload and resentment among staff. Many experienced officers have left, replaced by younger, less experienced staff, impacting positive role models and morale. Staffing shortfalls also affected time out of cell, the ability to escort prisoners to appointments, and led to the closure of workshops. The substance misuse service also suffered significant staff turnover and under-resourcing due to contract uncertainty.
Healthcare
Healthcare provision underwent a fundamental change in April 2023, with Practice Plus Group commissioning GP services and Mersey Care taking over mental health. While medication-related complaints were common, nurses holding unit clinics helped alleviate issues. The inpatient unit is consistently full, and prisoners receive good care. Staffing shortages, including reliance on agency nurses, have been a concern, particularly impacting escort provision for outpatient appointments. However, nursing vacancies have been filled under the new contract, and an advanced nurse practitioner is triaging the GP list. Delays in transferring severely mentally unwell prisoners to secure accommodation remain a persistent issue, and the timely transfer of terminally ill prisoners to hospices has been highlighted by the Ombudsman. The mental health caseload remains steady at 20% of the population, with improved assessment and treatment quality under Mersey Care.
Regime & Daily Life
Prisoners had a daily unlock period of eight hours, including work, education, association, and meals. However, staffing shortages throughout the year impacted time out of cell, with priority given to exercise and education. A significant concern is the failure to reinstate the pre-pandemic regime of prisoners eating meals outside their cells, forcing them to eat in close proximity to toilets. This practice is deemed unacceptable, although senior managers have assured its restoration by October 2023, staffing permitting. The constant turnover of prisoners also limited opportunities for officers to build constructive relationships.
Applications to the IMB
Prisoners can apply to their IMB about any aspect of their treatment. This table shows application counts by category.
| Category | Current | Previous | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation, including laundry, clothing, ablutions | 1 | 12 | |
| Canteen, facility list, catalogues | 2 | 7 | |
| Discipline, including adjudications, incentives scheme, sanctions | 6 | 10 | |
| Equality | 2 | 3 | |
| Finance, including pay, private monies, spends | 4 | 10 | |
| Food and kitchens | 4 | 13 | |
| Health, including physical, mental, social care | 28 | 47 | |
| Letters, visits, telephones, public protection, restrictions | 18 | 19 | |
| Miscellaneous | 42 | 29 | |
| Property during transfer or in another facility | 9 | 16 | |
| Property within the establishment | 10 | 17 | |
| Purposeful activity, including education, work, training, time out of cell | 2 | 9 | |
| Sentence management, including HDC, ROTL, parole, release dates, re-categorisation | 27 | 12 | |
| Staff/prisoner concerns, including bullying | 4 | 23 | |
| Transfers | 2 | 1 |
Recommendations (10)
HMPPS: 5
Governor / Director: 4
Other: 1
7 repeated
Recommendation 5
Repeated
The Board continues to hold the view, based on their observations and frequent discussions with prisoners and officers, that the current daily allowance for prisoners’ food is inadequate, particularly in the current economic climate. Are there any plans to review and revise the budget?
HMPPS
Food
Recommendation 6
Recruitment and retention of staff have been major concerns this year, particularly in the context of the transfer to Sodexo. These issues could undermine the stability and safety of the prison. Can the Board be reassured therefore that the recruitment and retention of staff remain the highest priority?
Governor / Director
Staffing
Recommendation 7
What are the plans for improving the daily regime for prisoners, and in particular, when can they expect to eat their meals outside of their cells and in association with other prisoners?
Governor / Director
Regime
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
When will the statutory 28-day time limit for the transfer to hospital of prisoners requiring in-patient mental health treatment, referred to in the draft Mental Health Bill of June 2022, come into effect?
Other
(minister)
Mental Health
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
What efforts are being made to address the failure of Seetec to deliver on their contract responsibility to deliver a service that supports individuals to find suitable accommodation on release?
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 6
How will the resettlement needs of remand prisoners be addressed, given the lack of provision for this in the current contract?
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 7
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
What strategies can be put in place to resolve the ever-present issue of prisoners lost property?
HMPPS
Regime
Recommendation 8
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board continues to hold the view, based on their observations and frequent discussions with prisoners and officers, that the current daily allowance for prisoners’ food is inadequate, particularly in the current economic climate. Are there any plans to review and revise the budget?
HMPPS
Food
Recommendation 9
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Recruitment and retention of staff have been major concerns this year, particularly in the context of the transfer to Sodexo. These issues could undermine the stability and safety of the prison. Can the Board be reassured therefore that the recruitment and retention of staff remain the highest priority?
Governor / Director
Staffing
Recommendation 10
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
What are the plans for improving the daily regime for prisoners, and in particular, when can they expect to eat their meals outside of their cells and in association with other prisoners?
Governor / Director
Regime
Other IMB Reports for Altcourse
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
7 Jul 2025
Unannounced
PPO Fatal Incidents
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman fatal incident investigations for this establishment.