How long does the PIN take at Altcourse?
Each dot is one family. The darker rows hold the middle half of 5 reports.
Still correct?
Nearest prison with reports
Families at HMP Liverpool have also reported PIN waits.
Liverpool · 1 miles · 5 reports
PIN at LiverpoolWhat to do while you wait
Be ready for an unknown number
The first call is often short and late.
Send money the official way
Do it once their name appears. Credit pays for the call.
Choose which number goes on the list
A landline is 2.48p a minute. A mobile is 5.5p. Changing the list later means another wait.
How much do prison calls cost?
They pay from PIN credit. Official weekday rates. A landline is cheaper than a mobile.
What a week costsWhat families reported
“Phone list took about 6 days.”
Phone list / PIN · 6 days · 2w ago
“PIN came through the same day.”
Phone list / PIN · Same day · 1mo ago
“PIN came through the same day.”
Phone list / PIN · Same day · 1mo ago
“PIN came through after about 2 days.”
Phone list / PIN · 2 days · 1mo ago
“PIN came through after about 1 day.”
Phone list / PIN · 1 day · 1mo ago
Get alerts for HMP Altcourse
A weekly email of what families reported at HMP Altcourse. Straight away if phones go down or there is a lockdown.
Questions families ask
- Families at HMP Altcourse report PIN waits of 1 day. 5 family reports. Last report 13 October 2026. Reports vary. These are community reports, not an HMPPS service level.
- No. Official process sits in a separate card. The range is what families typed in — How long did the PIN / phone list take?.
- They submit the number. Security checks it. Until it clears, they cannot call that number from their PIN phone — even if they already called once from reception.
- Pick a wait on the same page and submit. It shows on the prison profile immediately. You can also get a weekly email for this prison.