Deportation plan for foreign offenders

The Government is considering plans to deport foreign offenders immediately upon conviction to address prison overcrowding. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “I am personally of the view that deportation for someone who has been convicted and is ultimately due to be imprisoned in our country is as good a punishment as serving time in a prison in this country.” A YouGov poll revealed that 82% of the public supports early deportation as a means to increase prison capacity. Currently, over 10,400 foreign offenders are incarcerated in England and Wales, costing taxpayers more than £50,000 annually per inmate. The proposed options include immediate deportation upon conviction or reducing the time served before deportation eligibility. Ms Mahmood noted that the Government is actively exploring ways to enhance the early removal scheme.