This document describes the family services available at HMP Altcourse prison. It covers support for prisoners to maintain relationships with their children and families, including practical help, counselling and family-focused activities. The service is delivered in partnership with Liverpool City Council and SIG Safe Ground.
This is a guide to family services at HMP Altcourse prison. It is for prisoners who want to stay connected with their children and families while in custody. The document explains the support available through the Family Services team, working with Liverpool City Council and SIG Safe Ground.
The first section covers Family Connections, a service for prisoners whose families are based in Liverpool. It offers help with rebuilding trust, contacting social services, and supporting children and partners with practical and emotional needs. Contact details for Georgina Nelson and Joanne Sime are provided.
The document addresses common feelings fathers in prison experience, such as shame, guilt, fear of rejection, and feeling replaced. It gives reassurance and advice on staying involved as a parent from a distance. It encourages prisoners to seek support through family intervention programmes.
Several family intervention programmes are listed. Dads to Be is a five-session antenatal programme. The Baby Programme lets fathers bathe and massage their baby during visits. Dads Stay and Play and Dads and Kids Club offer play sessions for different age groups. Vinnies Visits is a neurodiverse-friendly visit programme. Story Time Dads records fathers reading stories for their children.
Classroom-based parenting programmes are also described. The Nurturing Programme is an evidence-based course over three weeks, covering child behaviour, discipline and communication. The Reducing Parental Conflict programme helps fathers understand conflict and its impact on children. Both are delivered by a family link worker.
The document introduces Safe Ground programmes. Man Up is a six-to-eight session group about male identity. Fathers Inside is a four-week full-time programme on fatherhood and family relationships. Family counselling is also available. The document explains how prisoners can access these services through the prison CMS system.