Visitor Information
At HMP Altcourse we understand that it is important for
prisoners and their family and friends to have the opportunity to
retain close relationships and family ties whilst in our custody.
We aim to ensure that all visits to HMP Altcourse are conducted
in a professional yet relaxed atmosphere and that all visitors are
treated courteously and politely.
Securing Your World
When you book your visit you will be told what time you should arrive at the visits centre.
NOTE: Our visit week starts on a Sunday and finishes on a Saturday
Visits booking lines
0151 522-2196/2047/2042
Phone lines are open at
08.30-6pm Mon-Thurs
08.30-5pm-Fri
Phone lines are closed
Saturday/Sunday & Bank Holidays
Visiting Times
Booking a visit
Monday-Friday Block 1 13.30pm – 14.30pm Block 2 15.15pm - 16.15pm Monday- Friday Evening 18.00pm - 19.00pm Saturday morning Block 1 09.15am - 10.15am Block 2 11.00am – 12.00am Sunday morning 2hr only 09.30am - 11.30am Saturday– Sunday Block 1 13.45pm - 14.45pm Block 2 15.30pm - 16.30pm
Identification
Prior to your visit you will be asked to provide appropriate ID. Ideally photographic ID should be used
Acceptable forms of photo ID are:
Valid Passport
Driving licence
Photo Travel pass
Or TWO of the following
Birth certificate, marriage certificate, bank card, P.O card + statement, student union card with photo, trade union card, disability badge with photo,
Cash Converters card with photo and travel pass with photo.
If you do not have appropriate ID or we have concerns about your Identity you will be refused access.
Visiting the prison
The visits centre is located outside the main prison. The visitor car park is clearly marked . There are disabled parking spaces available. Toilet facilities are not available outside opening times.
A locker is available for you to leave mobiles, cameras etc. G4S cannot accept responsibility for belongings left in lockers or on the premises. If you are not sure what you can take into the prison please ask a member of staff as it is a criminal offence to take in unauthorised items.
A maximum of 3 adults (18+) are allowed on a visit. There is no limit on numbers of prisoners own dependant children. Creche facilities are available
in the visits hall. DO NOT pass anything to a prisoner. CCTV is in operation
Searching
All visitors will be searched on entering the establishment. It is your responsibility to ensure you have nothing unauthorised on you. The search
will include a drug dog search and a Barringer test.
If you are found with any unauthorised items the police maybe informed
Visiting Orders
A visit cannot be cancelled until after the visit was due to take place. The V.O can still be used at a later date.
Visits cannot be altered once they have been booked I.E. Names cannot be added or changed.
If using a visiting order and a visit has not been cancelled by you it can still be reused if it is still in date.
Refreshments
A maximum of £30 can be taken into the visits hall to buy refreshments. Please try to purchase your refreshments before the visit starts.
Babies
A bottle of milk or carton of formula plus one nappy is allowed on the visit.
Medication
If you need your medication on a visit it must be handed over to the visits staff at the start of the visit it will then be dispensed as required.
Electronic Tag
If you are wearing any kind of electronic tag i.e. Court, HDC etc. you will need written permission from our Head of Security which you should bring
with you along with your tag paperwork.. To obtain permission please write directly to HMP Altcourse.
Prisoner Monies
Money can be dropped off BEFORE a visit
commences during visitor centre opening times. Postal Orders may be posted made payable to G4S. Your name & address and the prisoners name and number must be included on the back.
You can also send money via a secure payment service online.
Simply Email:
[email protected]
to set up an account.Call 08448733111/4 for more information.
Sentencing Guide
The following is intended as a guide to sentencing.
Remand Prisoner
Prisoner is Unconvicted and going through the court process NO VO REQUIRED
Sentenced prisoner
Has been found guilty at court and has been given a custodial sentence. VO IS REQUIRED.
Section 38 & Section 39 Magistrates.
Has been found guilty and will return to Magistrates Court to await sentence –VO IS REQUIRED
Section 10/3 Magistrates
Prisoner has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing at Crown Court. VO IS REQUIRED
JR Crown Court
Has been found guilty at Crown Court and is awaiting sentence. VO IS REQUIRED
Visit entitlements
(per week)
Remand level 1*-3 3 visits per week
*Level 1 = 30 min visit
level 4 5 visits per week
Convicted* level 1-3 1 visit per week
level 4 1 visit (5 per month)
*Convicted level 4-if you have 2 VO’s you can have a 2 hour visit per week Enhanced prisoners are entitled to an extra VO every month.
This can be used Monday-Friday.
Remand visits can be booked a week in advance.
Convicted may be booked up to 28 days in advance with a valid VO
Reception Visit
A reception visit is given to a convicted prisoner within the first 7 days.
New Prisoners-Reception Clothing
Clothes can be dropped off at the prison within the first 14 days (after that the prisoner needs to put in a clothing application)
The property office is situated in the outside visits centre.
Property office opening times
Clothing allowance 6 tops-no hoods 2 bottoms-no combats 1 pair shorts 1 pair trainers
1 pair flip flops or slippers 7 pair socks
7 pair boxers
Monday-Friday Afternoon 12.00pm – 15.00pm Monday-Thursday Evening 17.00pm – 18.00pm Saturday-Sunday Morning 08.30am- 11.00am Saturday-Sunday Afternoon 13.00pm – 15.00pm
By Bus:
From Liverpool city centre, buses no. 17, 17c, 17d and 217 to Fazakerly hos-pital. The prison is then 5 minutes walking distance.
By Road:
From the M57 exit at junction 4, join A580 (East Lancs. Rd.) Go past the Showcase Cinema and turn right at the next traffic lights. Past the Police Station on the left and turn left at the next lights. The prison is a 1/4 mile on the right
By Road From North Wales :
M53 Wallasey tunnel, left exit to Aintree & Walton. Past Walton hospital and the Windsor Castle pub, continue to the Black Bull pub in the middle of the road. Take the right fork. The first set of traffic lights turn right into Long Lane, 200 yards to traffic lights, go into the left filter, turning onto Brookfield Drive. The prison is 1/3 of a mile on the left.
Useful Numbers
Assisted Prison Visits
If you have difficulty meeting the cost of visiting the prison and are claiming benefits then you may be able to get help with travel costs.
Pick up a claim form from DSS offices, Probation offices or the prison. For more information phone
Assisted Prisons Visitors Unit on: 08453001423
BARA Bus & ARC Bus Services
A return bus service is available to visitors from the North Wales area. The service runs twice a month and stops outside the prison.
Call BARA : 01286672257 for more information Call ARC : 01492535626 for more information
PLEASE BOOK BUS AND VISIT TOGETHER Safer Custody Team
If the person you are visiting is worried about being bullied or has any thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact the Safer Custody Team.
Phone: 0151 522 2021
E-mail: [email protected]
CARATs
Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Through care (CARAT) services is a National Prison Service initiative designed to give those prisoners who use drugs an opportunity to change whilst in prison.
You are able to contact the CARAT team via email:
[email protected] or on 0151 522 2163
Or leave a message on 0151 522 2163
Substance Misuse Intervention Team (SMIT)
If you need to speak to one of the SMIT team they are available in the visits centre during opening times
Or you can contact them on: 0151 522 2163 or [email protected]
HMP Altcourse, Brookfield Drive Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LH 0151 522 2000
