When can I visit Altcourse?
Booking, ID, first-visit waits, what to take, video calls, local rules, and how visiting actually works.
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Official facts for this prison
Uses Purple Visits
Source: Prisoners’ Families Helpline · Which prisons use Purple Visits · Last checked: September 2026
IMB: 31 applications about letters, visits and phones (2024–25)
Source: IMB annual report, HMP Altcourse, 2024–25 · Last checked: December 2025
Visiting someone in prison
- You must be on the prisoner’s visitor list before you can book.
- Getting on the visitor list can take up to 2 weeks. At least one visitor must be 18 or over.
- Bring acceptable photo ID. Expired ID is not accepted.
- If you get certain benefits you may be able to claim help with travel, overnight stay and meals.
- Each prison sets its own visiting times and local rules.
- You can email using Email a Prisoner (Unilink). Staff print the email and give it to them.
- Secure video calls use Prison Video or Purple Visits. Which app depends on the prison — check that prison’s GOV.UK page.
What families reported
“First visit after about 2 days.”
First visit · 2 days · 1w ago
“First visit after about 6 days.”
First visit · 6 days · 1mo ago
“It is first come first serve in visits when it comes to the food. For example they only make about 10 burgers but there is 50 ppl in the visiting room so always get there early for better food. Remember to take money with you. Search’s r not that bad just remove your shoes and walk through the scanner and a quick pat down. The staff are friendly and will try to make it easier for you. There is pencils and paper for the little ones. In the waiting area there r toys for the little ones. Remember t”
First visit · 3 days · 1mo ago
“I was able to visit within the first 3 days of him being there.”
First visit · 3 days · 1mo ago
“First visit after about 6 days.”
First visit · 6 days · 1mo ago
What to do next
What this actually means
Nobody can book a visit until the prisoner has added you to their visitor list. That list is a security process, not a reception desk favour.
First visits are often slower than later ones. Once you are approved, booking is usually the constraint — not the relationship.
Dress codes and ID rules are local and strictly applied. Read the prison’s own page the night before. Do not improvise.
Video calls are a visit, not a PIN phone. The Official page names Prison Video or Purple Visits. We only show an app when that prison’s GOV.UK page names it.
How visits actually workQuestions families ask
- Families at HMP Altcourse report 3 days. 5 family reports. Last report 18 October 2026. Reports agree. Official: Uses Purple Visits. You must be on their visitor list before you can book. IMB: 31 applications about letters, visits and phones, 2024–25. What people inside asked the board.
- First visits are often slower than later ones. The range above is what families typed in — not the booking diary.
- Photo ID, the Official dress list, and time to get through security. Open the first visit checklist for HMP Altcourse. Lockers usually need change. The visitor-list wait is a separate clock.
- Check Can I wear this? for hoodies, jeans, and trainers against the Official list where we have one. Staff can still refuse on the day.
- Open visiting times for HMP Altcourse. Each prison sets its own hours.
- Use Email a Prisoner (Unilink). Staff print it and give it to them. How long that then takes is what families report.