The Express website reports that Britain’s new Prime Minister ordered the deportation of some 10,000 foreign prisoners to prevent the expected prison crisis in the UK. The Justice Secretary points out that the prison system currently operates at near maximum capacity. 

The portal also reports that the Home Secretary is bound by law to deport any foreign nationals convicted to sentences of over 12 months imprisonment unless such a decision stands in breach of their human rights. Such procedure is regulated under the UK Borders Act of 2007. 

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that such decisions are necessary to stop “a total breakdown of law and order” due to the lack of room in UK prisons. She also points out that the jails have been operating at 99 percent capacity since the start of 2023. 

“It is clearly ‘in the public good’ to deport all 10,000 nationals in our jails, both convicted and on remand,” said Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice.

“This is the right thing to do in itself, and will free up space in our prison system that will mean that there will be no need for thousands of prisoners who have not completed their sentence to be released early,” the MP added in a comment. 

Tomasz Modrzejewski

Photo: X @Keir_Starmer