Foreign National Offenders 2023-09-12
2023-09-12
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The number of foreign national offenders is a concern, with reports suggesting inadequate measures to remove them from the UK.
What steps are being taken with Cabinet colleagues to reduce the number of foreign national offenders in the prison system?
Between January 2019 and December 2022, we removed 13,851 foreign national offenders from the country. This involves close working with colleagues, including in the Home Office.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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The effectiveness and speed of removal of foreign national offenders under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 have been questioned.
Could my right hon. Friend comment on how the FNO early removal scheme is working, its expected impact on numbers, and how it aims to speed up the process?
Under the Nationality and Borders Act, we expanded the FNO early removal scheme window from nine months to 12 months. We are working closely with the Home Office on this. In May, a landmark new deal was agreed with Albania and negotiations continue for prisoner transfer agreements with EU member states.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Reports suggest a high proportion of non-UK and non-Irish citizens among the prison population in Northern Ireland, raising concerns about the effectiveness of removal policies.
Has the Minister had an opportunity to assess with the Department of Justice the issue that the proportion of foreign nationals in Northern Ireland's total jail population is disproportionately high at 7% to 9% annually?
As the hon. Gentleman knows, given our organisational structure, we do not cover the Northern Ireland Prison Service. However, it is important to stay in close touch with colleagues there and opportunities for such conversations will arise in the future.
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Assessment & feedback
The high percentage of foreign nationals in Northern Ireland's jail population
We Do Not Cover The Northern Ireland Prison Service
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