[3] While early reports about the management of the prison were favourable, the financing of the project drew criticism after it emerged in 2002 that G4S, which oversaw construction and operated the prison, had made a £10 million windfall from the contracts.

[5] In November 2009, the prison's own Independent Monitoring Board published a report which criticised the amount of illegal drugs that were being smuggled into Altcourse.

The report suggested that mobile phones (which were also being smuggled into the jail) were helping to fuel the trade.

[6] A month later, it emerged that inmates at Altcourse were being given access to satellite television as a reward for good behaviour.

There are 7 main wings on the site, all named after fences of the Grand National steeplechase course.