A new initiative aimed at deporting foreign criminals held in prisons across Wales and England is set to be put into action. The UK Government has announced the formation of an immigration “crack squad” dedicated to expediting the deportation process of foreign nationals serving sentences in the UK. This squad will consist of specialized frontline staff who will be deployed to 80 prisons with the task of removing individuals who do not have the right to remain in the country. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has allocated £5 million towards this effort, with the aim of deporting criminals up to 18 months before the completion of their prison terms and transferring them to their home countries for the remainder of their sentences.
Foreign national offenders currently make up approximately 12% of the total prison population in Wales and England. Over the past year, a total of 2,580 such offenders have been removed from prisons in these regions, marking a 23% increase compared to the previous year. Despite these removals, the overall prison population in Wales and England has risen to 87,199, which is the highest figure recorded since October 2021. This spike in numbers occurred after more than 1,000 prisoners were released early as part of emergency measures to alleviate prison overcrowding.
In response to the challenges posed by these statistics, the UK Government has committed to creating an additional 14,000 cell spaces in prisons by 2031. These long-term measures are designed to address issues of prison capacity, reduce reoffending rates, and ensure the efficient deportation of foreign criminals. Prisons Minister Lord James Timpson emphasised the importance of not burdening British taxpayers with the costs of incarcerating foreign offenders who have caused harm to local communities. He highlighted the Government’s efforts to increase the rate of removals and expressed the need for swifter deportation processes to relieve pressure on crowded prisons and public finances.
By streamlining the deportation process and implementing measures to address overcrowding issues in prisons, the UK Government aims to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system and enhance public safety. This new “crack squad” initiative is expected to commence operations by April 1, with a focus on facilitating the timely removal of foreign national offenders to their home countries. The Ministry of Justice’s investment in this initiative underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding communities from the impact of criminal activities and ensuring that justice is served efficiently.
The formation of the immigration “crack squad” signals a proactive approach towards managing foreign offenders within the UK’s prison system. By prioritising the deportation of individuals who pose a threat to public safety, the government is taking decisive action to address issues of overcrowding, cut costs, and streamline the criminal justice process. The forthcoming implementation of this initiative is poised to bring about significant improvements in the management of foreign criminals in Welsh and English prisons, marking a step towards a more effective and sustainable criminal justice system.