HMP Altcourse: Visiting, Contact and Key Facts
Last reviewed: July 2026
| Key fact | HMP Altcourse |
|---|---|
| Category | Category B local (reception) prison |
| Who it holds | Up to ~1,164 men – remand and sentenced adults plus young adults from Cheshire and Merseyside courts |
| Operator | Sodexo (since 1 June 2023; previously G4S from opening) |
| Opened | 1997 – the UK’s first privately designed, built and run prison |
| Address | HMP Altcourse, Higher Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LH |
| Switchboard | 0151 522 2000 |
| Visit booking | Booked by the prisoner via the in-prison kiosk system |
What kind of prison is HMP Altcourse?
Altcourse is a busy Category B local prison – the sort of prison men go to straight from court, whether on remand or newly sentenced. With around 21,000 reception movements a year it has one of the busiest receptions in England and Wales, so the population changes constantly. It opened in December 1997 as the UK’s first prison to be privately designed, constructed, managed and financed, and after 25 years under G4S it transferred to Sodexo on 1 June 2023 under a ten-year contract. If your family member has just been sent there from court, our guide to Category B prisons and our first night in prison page explain what those early days look like.
The latest inspection: honest picture for families
HM Inspectorate of Prisons inspected Altcourse in July 2025 (report published October 2025) and the findings were mixed. Inspectors described illicit drugs as a major threat to safety, with 34% of random drug tests coming back positive – among the highest rates for comparable prisons – and noted six self-inflicted deaths since the previous inspection, with concerns about how self-harm was being managed. On the positive side, staff–prisoner relationships remained a real strength and preparation for release had improved to reasonably good, though purposeful activity was rated poor. Families should take from this: staff are generally approachable, but if you are worried about a loved one’s mental health, say so early – ring the switchboard on 0151 522 2000 and ask for the safer custody team. The full report is on the HMIP website.
Visiting someone at HMP Altcourse
Visits are booked by the prisoner from the kiosk system inside the prison – he chooses a slot and tells you when to come. Up to three adults and three children can usually attend. Sessions have historically run on weekday afternoons and evenings and at weekend mornings and afternoons, but the schedule has changed under the new operator, so treat any times you find online with caution and confirm the slot the prisoner gives you. Bring photo ID and proof of address, arrive early to book in, and leave valuables in the lockers or at home – you will be searched before entering.
Contacting a prisoner and sending money
You cannot phone a prisoner directly; he calls you once your number is approved. Letters need his full name and prison number. Send money through the free GOV.UK service rather than posting anything. Our step-by-step guide on contacting someone in prison covers phones, email-a-prisoner and letters. Altcourse is one of several prisons in the city – see our overview of prisons in Liverpool if you are unsure which one holds your family member.
What arriving there is like
A local prison reception is noisy, fast and disorientating – especially straight from court. Our founder Daniel Hockey went through exactly that at HMP Wandsworth before progressing to open conditions at HMP Ford, and wrote about it in The Secret Prisoner (2021). His advice for the first week in a local jail: sort your phone numbers (PIN clearance) on day one, ask for the induction booklet, and do not borrow anything from anyone. Read more about Daniel here.
• Thinking Altcourse is still run by G4S – Sodexo took over on 1 June 2023, and some older websites (including some official pages) are out of date.
• Trying to book a visit through GOV.UK – the prisoner books from the kiosk and tells you the slot.
• Relying on old visit timetables found online – sessions have changed; confirm before travelling.
• Bringing items in for the prisoner on a visit – almost nothing can be handed over; see our guide to what you can take into prison.
Frequently asked questions
What category is HMP Altcourse?
Category B local. It takes men directly from court – both remand and sentenced – and moves longer-term men on to training prisons.
Who runs HMP Altcourse?
Sodexo, under a ten-year contract that began on 1 June 2023. It had been run by G4S since it opened in 1997.
How do I book a visit?
You do not book directly – the prisoner books the visit from a wing kiosk and tells you the date and time. If you have problems, ring 0151 522 2000.
Is Altcourse safe?
The October 2025 inspection report was honest about problems with drugs and self-harm, but also found staff–prisoner relationships were a strength. If you are worried about someone, contact the prison’s safer custody line via the switchboard.
When will he be released?
It depends on the sentence. Under the Sentencing Act 2026 (in force 22 March 2026), many standard determinate sentences now qualify for earned release from around one third. Our sentence calculator guide explains the rules.
Sources: GOV.UK – Altcourse prison; HMIP inspection 2025; Sodexo contract announcement. See our full HMP prison list.
