HMP Altcourse in Liverpool was found in 2017 to have “bucked the trend” of rising violence and self-harm seen in many comparable local prisons, according to Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons.

After “very positive” inspections over many years, inspectors who had visited Altcourse in 2014 found some mixed results, with concerns that violence and self-harm were increasing at that time. However, when inspectors returned in November 2017, Mr Clarke said, it “was good to see clear signs of improvement.”

Altcourse – a category B male prison holding 1,148 men, including 100 young adults – had “faced similar challenges to other local prisons with increased levels of violence and self-harm, including a homicide and three self-inflicted deaths. Use of illegal drugs, particularly new psychoactive substances (NPS)…had been a significant factor in levels of disorder, poor behaviour, debt and bullying.”

In 2017, however, Mr Clarke said, “while all these issues were still prevalent at Altcourse, violence and self-harm were decreasing year on year, and there was evidence that NPS use had also declined considerably. The prison had been particularly proactive in addressing these challenges.”

The report noted: “Staff-prisoner relationships continued to be a strength, creating a consensual approach. The staff group was well motivated, committed and confident in challenging poor behaviour. Officers we spoke to often expressed a sense of pride in their work and staff morale appeared good. Most staff seemed interested in and were keen to try and help prisoners and they often knew men’s circumstances well. There was a tangible sense of community in the prison.” This was achieved despite some overcrowding in cells, Mr Clarke said. To mitigate this, prisoners spent a good amount of time out of their cells in in a prison benefitting from a spacious and open site where they could move around in the open air. Men were particularly positive about their ability to live decently, get access to basic amenities and resolve problems informally. Most cells had TVs, kettles and phone and more prisoners than in comparable local jails thought Altcourse was quiet enough to relax or sleep at night. Prisoners were negative, however, about the food.

Purposeful activity – work, education and training – was excellent for a local prison. The regime of activities was delivered consistently with very few curtailments. “This was unusual in this type of prison and most welcome, demonstrating what can be achieved with full staffing and a commitment from leaders,” Mr Clarke said.

The most significant disappointment for inspectors was “serious problems with offender management and aspects of public protection work.” Ongoing contact with many high-risk men was minimal, and processes for identifying and managing those subject to multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) were weak. In contrast, work to enable some men to stay in touch with children and families was very strong and resettlement support for those being released was generally good.

Overall, Mr Clarke said:

“Altcourse was in some key areas bucking the trend when compared to other local prisons. While it still faced significant challenges around safety, the downward trend in violence and anti-social behaviour was highly creditable… Levels of self-harm, while still high, were also decreasing…This had been supported by a positive staff culture, a good focus on decency, and an excellent regime that was being delivered consistently. Some areas requiring improvement remained, particularly where offender management and public protection were concerned. Nevertheless, the director and his team were providing strong leadership, enabling a highly positive staff culture and delivering good outcomes in many key areas. Overall, Altcourse showed that a local prison can provide fundamentally decent treatment and conditions for prisoners, despite facing many of the same challenges as the rest of the prison service. There was much here from which others could learn.”

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service, said:
“I am pleased the Chief Inspector recognises the progress made at Altcourse, with prisoners benefitting from a range of education and training opportunities delivered by committed staff. Work is being done to tackle violence and self-harm with new case management arrangements in place to support vulnerable prisoners. We will agree an action plan with G4S to address the Inspectorate’s recommendations to achieve further improvement over the coming months.”

– ENDS –

Notes to editors

1. A copy of the full report, published on 20 March 2018, can be found here.
2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
3. HMP Altcourse is a local prison in Liverpool run by G4S Custodial and Detention Services. At the time of this inspection it held 1,148 men, including around 100 young adults. Opened in December 1997 as a category A prison, Altcourse was turned into a category B core local prison in June 2003. It subsequently expanded in 2007 when a further house block holding an additional 180 prisoners opened.
4. This unannounced inspection took place between 13–23 November 2017.
5. Please contact John Steele at HM Inspectorate of Prisons on 020 3334 0357 or 07880 787452, or at john.steele@justice.gov.uk, if you would like more information.