Foreign criminals in prisons across England and Wales will be deported at an earlier point in their sentence under new government plans.
The proposed legislation, to be presented in Parliament today, comes as part of efforts to tackle prison overcrowding.
Currently, foreign inmates with no right to stay in the UK are sent back to their home country after serving half of their sentence.
But under the plans, they will instead be removed after just 30% of their term.
The measure would apply to those given determinate sentences – fixed maximum terms in prison that offenders do not necessarily serve all of behind bars. It would not apply to those convicted of terrorism or terror-related offences.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) estimates that, combined with other upcoming reforms, some foreign prisoners would end up serving only 10% of their sentence in England and Wales, down from about 20 to 25% currently.
The law is also being tweaked so they can be deported 48 months before the end of their custodial sentence, rather than 18 months before.
The changes will free up an estimated 500 cells per year, with around 12% of the prison population currently made up of foreign offenders, according to the government.
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The MoJ said the proposals should also save the taxpayer millions of pounds, with the average prison place costing £54,000 per year.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “With prisons close to bursting, I’m clear we shouldn’t be giving bed and board to foreign criminals with no right to be here.
“These changes will get more of them on planes out of the country much sooner, saving taxpayers’ money and keeping our streets safe as part of our Plan for Change.
“This government’s message is crystal clear – if you come here and break our laws, you’ll be sent packing in record time.”
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The proposals follow calls from the Conservatives for a change in the law to give the government the power to deport all foreign criminals.
The MoJ said the measure would be a discretionary power, meaning that some prisoners may be refused permission to be deported in certain circumstances, such as if there was clear evidence they were planning further crime.
The government hopes the shake-up will come into effect in September, if it is approved in Parliament.
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Ministers have repeatedly warned that the prison system is overcrowded, overstretched and understaffed.
Last month, Ms Mahmood announced the government would be adopting a range of measures to ease prison overcrowding, following an independent review by former Tory justice secretary David Gauke.
