'Staff morale is at an all-time low' at troubled Altcourse

'NO RUNNING WATER, NO PPE, WE'RE RUN DOWN AND EXHAUSTED'

- By PATRICK EDRICH

STAFF at a scandal-hit local prison have reported a host of poor working conditions including no running water and lack of protective kit.

Prison officers at privately-operated HMP Altcourse have claimed "staff morale is at an all-time low" with experienced members of the team leaving because of conditions.

A trusted source in the category B prison told the ECHO: "I don't think I've ever seen it this low" and "the whole place is dragging people down."

The prison officer said issues around uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE) had been troubling staff for a number of months.

The ECHO understands a grievance has been raised by the local GMB Union which represents staff at the prison.

The ECHO has approached the union for comment.

Our source reported staff at the Fazakerley prison were having to supply their own clothes to wear to work as far back as July this year. And they claimed there wasn't enough PPE for all the staff.

They said: "So PPE is stuff like boots, shields, overalls, shin guards etc - there's not enough for staff. It's embarrassing when using force on prisoners for planned removals or dirty protests."

The source added staff facilities were without running water for a number of weeks.

They said: "Both male and female changing rooms are out of order now so staff have no washing facilities.

"Nowhere to wash hands or use the toilet. Staff are absolutely raging."