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Location: Liverpool Type: Privately built & run Operator: Group 4 Category: Local Normal accommodation: 614 Opened: December 1997

This contract has been the subject of great controversy. Just two years in, Group 4 re-financed its loans, resulting in windfall profits of more than £10m. The company’s return increased from 16 to 39 per cent. Only one million pounds will find its way into public funds. But the prison received a glowing first report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, who said it was “by some way” the best local prison he had seen, and other prison governors could learn much. He went on: “I am not alone in my views about the excellence of what is being done at Altcourse.” But he warned that “storm clouds are gathering” because of overcrowding, which threatened to undermine much of what had been achieved.

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