Prison
Cat B local and remand
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Altcourse
IMB Annual Report 2021 · Published 11 November 2021
HMP Altcourse was judged a safe prison during the reporting year, demonstrating low levels of self-harm and violence despite pandemic restrictions. The Board noted significant improvements in food quality and strong staff-prisoner relationships. Key concerns include the persistent delays in transferring seriously mentally ill prisoners, issues with property, and the uncertain future and low morale of the resettlement service following a contract change.
Positive Findings
HMP Altcourse maintained a safe environment with stable low levels of self-harm and violence, notably due to positive staff-prisoner relationships and improved communication. Prisoners benefited from enhanced welfare provisions like extra telephone credit, no TV rental fees, and significantly improved food quality from the new in-house bakery. The prison actively addressed healthcare concerns, implemented new staff support (TRIM), and successfully adapted education and activity regimes (e.g., gym in yards, in-cell learning) during the pandemic. Board members also praised the prison's strong commitment to equality and diversity training, and the positive impact of remote family visits (Purple Visits).
Key Concerns
Mental Health
The transfer of seriously mentally ill prisoners to appropriate healthcare facilities continues to be a problem, with one particular prisoner spending over 300 days in segregation this year. This case was escalated to a national level. In addition we are concerned about the long-term legacy of the pandemic on prisoners’ mental health. Altcourse is already seeing more seriously ill men arriving from the community where services have been stretched.
Safety
The use of rigid handcuffs has been partially introduced in Altcourse. As SPEAR training, a necessary prerequisite, has been suspended due to the pandemic, they cannot be widely used but the intention is to roll out their use more widely. The Board was therefore concerned to learn, during the compilation of this report, that the use of such cuffs will no longer be recorded as a use of force but treated as a de-escalation technique and thus will no longer be monitored as such. We would describe the use of rigid cuffs as a physical intervention and thus it should be monitored: in terms of frequency, by particular officers on particular units, and the age, ethnicity profile etc. of those prisoners on whom it is used.
Complaints/Property
Repeated
A continuing complaint from prisoners relates to their personal property, which has assumed much greater significance during the pandemic where photographs and personal items maybe the only remaining contact prisoners have with their families. We understand that this remains a persistent problem nationally, and although the subject of much discussion, nothing seems to change. This issue has been reported in previous annual reports.
Resettlement/Release
In the latter stages of this reporting year, the resettlement function at Altcourse has been contracted to the national probation service and Seetec Interventions Alliance. Morale within this department is low: staff are uncertain about their future and only able to deal with emergency referrals. There appears to have been little handover preparation by the new provider and we are concerned that the consequences may be more prisoners being released unsupported and unprepared with a greater risk of reoffending.
Safety
It has recently come to our notice that a number of ‘out of area’ prisoners are starting to be placed at Altcourse with the potential for a clash of cultures which could impact on the relative stability at Altcourse.
Estate/Conditions
The quality and quantity of food provided for prisoners has consistently improved over the reporting year with the welcome addition of homemade soup and a bakery on site producing bread and rolls. Also kitchen equipment is maintained in a more timely matter. However there still remains a problem with the newly installed flooring which floods frequently despite a number of visits and attempts to resolve this by contractors. This must cause difficulties particularly for prisoners working and cleaning there.
Education/Purposeful Activity
The long standing librarian has now retired and a replacement is yet to be recruited. Regular access to books for those prisoners able to read has been an important factor when confined to cells for long periods and is a service much valued by prisoners.
Complaints/Property
This year has seen a succession of complaints clerks (four in number)and the Board has expressed concern regarding the importance of continuity and consistency in this fundamental role.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staff morale was generally positive, with strong communication channels and a proactive approach to managing the pandemic's challenges. However, specific concerns arose regarding low morale within the resettlement department due to uncertainties with a new provider, and a high turnover of complaints clerks impacting consistency. Healthcare staffing levels remained stable, though some OMU staff were temporarily redeployed. The drug rehabilitation team also saw redeployments, affecting caseloads but maintaining positive engagement.
Healthcare
Overall healthcare and wellbeing needs were largely met, though services were stretched by the pandemic, resulting in lengthy GP (3 weeks) and dental (4 months) waiting lists. Concerns persist regarding the specific needs of older prisoners, those requiring social care, and particularly seriously mentally ill prisoners awaiting transfer to secure facilities, with one case spending over 300 days in segregation. The prison has engaged five psychological therapists and established a complex care meeting for elderly patients, but some Ombudsman reports still noted care not equivalent to community standards.
Regime & Daily Life
The pandemic significantly constrained the regime, with prisoners often locked in cells for most of the day, initially having only 45 minutes out-of-cell for all activities. While this surprisingly contributed to low violence, concerns exist about long-term impacts on prisoner well-being. The regime gradually eased, with the gym reopening in a limited capacity and increased time out of cell. New admissions faced isolation periods in a reverse cohort unit, adding pressure to reception processes.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions in Establishment | 28 | 32 | |
| Discipline | 4 | 11 | |
| Discrimination | 12 | 29 | |
| Food | 12 | 28 | |
| Healthcare | 228 | 174 | |
| Others | 19 | 25 | |
| Property | 206 | 179 | |
| Regime | 35 | 44 | |
| Relationship with Staff | 15 | 11 | |
| Resettlement | 12 | 11 | |
| Transfers | 17 | 21 | |
| Visits/Phone Calls | 5 | 3 | |
| Work/Education | 4 | 1 |
Recommendations (8)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 4
Governor / Director: 3
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
The transfer of seriously mentally ill prisoners to appropriate healthcare facilities continues to be a problem, with one particular prisoner spending over 300 days in segregation this year. This case was escalated to a national level. In addition we are concerned about the long-term legacy of the pandemic on prisoners’ mental health. Altcourse is already seeing more seriously ill men arriving from the community where services have been stretched.
Ministry of Justice
Mental Health
Recommendation 2
The use of rigid handcuffs has been partially introduced in Altcourse. As SPEAR training, a necessary prerequisite, has been suspended due to the pandemic, they cannot be widely used but the intention is to roll out their use more widely. The Board was therefore concerned to learn, during the compilation of this report, that the use of such cuffs will no longer be recorded as a use of force but treated as a de-escalation technique and thus will no longer be monitored as such. We would describe the use of rigid cuffs as a physical intervention and thus it should be monitored: in terms of frequency, by particular officers on particular units, and the age, ethnicity profile etc. of those prisoners on whom it is used.
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
A continuing complaint from prisoners relates to their personal property, which has assumed much greater significance during the pandemic where photographs and personal items maybe the only remaining contact prisoners have with their families. We understand that this remains a persistent problem nationally, and although the subject of much discussion, nothing seems to change. This issue has been reported in previous annual reports.
HMPPS
Respect/Property
Recommendation 4
In the latter stages of this reporting year, the resettlement function at Altcourse has been contracted to the national probation service and Seetec Interventions Alliance. Morale within this department is low: staff are uncertain about their future and only able to deal with emergency referrals. There appears to have been little handover preparation by the new provider and we are concerned that the consequences may be more prisoners being released unsupported and unprepared with a greater risk of reoffending.
HMPPS
Resettlement
Recommendation 5
It has recently come to our notice that a number of ‘out of area’ prisoners are starting to be placed at Altcourse with the potential for a clash of cultures which could impact on the relative stability at Altcourse.
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 6
The quality and quantity of food provided for prisoners has consistently improved over the reporting year with the welcome addition of homemade soup and a bakery on site producing bread and rolls. Also kitchen equipment is maintained in a more timely matter. However there still remains a problem with the newly installed flooring which floods frequently despite a number of visits and attempts to resolve this by contractors. This must cause difficulties particularly for prisoners working and cleaning there.
Governor / Director
Estate/Food
Recommendation 7
The long standing librarian has now retired and a replacement is yet to be recruited. Regular access to books for those prisoners able to read has been an important factor when confined to cells for long periods and is a service much valued by prisoners.
Governor / Director
Education
Recommendation 8
This year has seen a succession of complaints clerks (four in number)and the Board has expressed concern regarding the importance of continuity and consistency in this fundamental role.
Governor / Director
Complaints
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.