Key Facts

• Amendment 64 introduces exclusions for prisoners who have less than 180 days left to serve.
• It excludes those serving indeterminate sentences of imprisonment or detention for public protection.
• The amendment also covers prisoners needing specific training or legal proceedings in the UK.
• The Bill facilitates the transfer of prisoners from England and Wales to foreign jurisdictions.
• Justice charity raised concerns about previous similar arrangements between Belgium-Norway and Netherlands not being overwhelmingly successful.
• Estonia has been mentioned as a potential partner country, with logistical challenges for family visits.
• Amendment 64 aims to exclude certain types of prisoners from being transferred abroad, including women and those serving less than 180 days.
• The policy is expected to cost around £200 million initially and about £24 million annually based on an estimate of 600 prisoners being held abroad.
• The government plans to transfer 600 prisoners abroad at an annual cost of £24 million.
• As of September 2023, there are 16,200 people on remand in prisons in England and Wales.
• Exploratory conversations for prisoner transfers have only been with European countries bound by the ECHR.
• Over 16,000 foreign national offenders were removed from the UK between January 2019 and September 2023.
• In the last 12 months alone, the returns rate increased by 20% compared to the previous year.
• The early removal scheme allows for FNOs to be removed up to 18 months before the end of their sentences.
• The MP mentions a case involving a victim of human trafficking who was threatened with deportation despite being recognized by the Home Office as a trafficking victim.
• In the Rochdale case, a young girl was criminalized due to sexual abuse patterns.
• The MP references the high number of people in prison identified as victims of modern slavery compared to those convicted for trafficking.
• Hannah Bardell clarifies that a Minister can go back and forth multiple times during debates.
• Amendment 65 would require reports on breaches of UK-foreign country arrangements.
• Amendment 66 ensures the prisons inspectorate must conduct specified duties.
• Amendment 67 expands inspection powers to include escort arrangements under which prisoners are transferred.
• Amendment 68 clarifies coroner's responsibilities for deaths involving prisoners in foreign custody.
• Amendment 65 would require reporting any breaches of arrangements between foreign countries and UK.
• The Government's policy could cost £24.4 million per year to house 600 prisoners abroad.
• HMIP’s role must align with OPCAT standards for independent detention monitoring.
• Clause 28 establishes a duty on the Secretary of State to appoint a controller for rented prison spaces.
• The UK-appointed controller will report to the Secretary of State on the running of a rented prison overseas.
• Any future treaty establishing rental arrangements would be subject to ratification by Parliament according to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
• Clause 29 creates a delegated power for future legislative amendments related to prison rental agreements.
• Formal negotiations have not yet commenced, but exploratory talks are underway with potential partner countries.
• Parliament will scrutinise any proposed use of the delegated power via the affirmative procedure.
• The Committee was scheduled to run until 1.30 pm.
• The session reached a significant point at around 1 o'clock.
• The Government Whip moved for the adjournment of further consideration.