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Self-harm rise in foreign inmates Self-harm rise in foreign inmates
(9 minutes later)
Self-harming and overcrowding in jails has risen because of changes sparked by the foreign inmates scandal, a prisons watchdog report has said. Self-harming has risen among foreign prisoners because of changes sparked by the deportations scandal, a prisons watchdog report has said.
Procedures were toughened after it emerged that around 1,000 foreign criminals were freed without being considered for deportation. Procedures were toughened after it emerged that around 1,000 foreigners were freed without officials checking whether they could be deported.
But now foreign inmates are being held beyond their sentences even if they want to go home, the report said. The report questioned 22 inmates, 86% of whom said the uncertainty had made them consider self-harm.
However, officials accused some prisoners of not co-operating.However, officials accused some prisoners of not co-operating.
The report, by a team led by the Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers, also found that some of those prisoners whose detention went on after their sentence had been completed were in fact British.The report, by a team led by the Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers, also found that some of those prisoners whose detention went on after their sentence had been completed were in fact British.
The speed of deportation is often very largely dependent on the co-operation of individuals Lin Homer,Director general, Immigration and Nationality DirectorateThe speed of deportation is often very largely dependent on the co-operation of individuals Lin Homer,Director general, Immigration and Nationality Directorate
In the wake of the crisis, increasing numbers of foreign nationals were threatened with deportation.In the wake of the crisis, increasing numbers of foreign nationals were threatened with deportation.
Ms Owers's team found that many inmates found it impossible to get information on the progress of their cases.Ms Owers's team found that many inmates found it impossible to get information on the progress of their cases.
The report team interviewed 22 detainees, of whom 86% said they were depressed or considering self-harm because of uncertainty over their situation.
One prisoner went on hunger strike because he was held for six months after completing his sentence, even though he wished to go back to his homeland.One prisoner went on hunger strike because he was held for six months after completing his sentence, even though he wished to go back to his homeland.
Ms Owers said: "Foreign nationals reported feeling suicidal, due to the uncertainty of their position; and Independent Monitoring Boards and establishments reported increased self-harm and suicide attempts.Ms Owers said: "Foreign nationals reported feeling suicidal, due to the uncertainty of their position; and Independent Monitoring Boards and establishments reported increased self-harm and suicide attempts.
'Shambles''Shambles'
"Of particular concern was the fact that immigration officials, operating at a distance and on paper, often seemed unaware of the human cost of this," she added."Of particular concern was the fact that immigration officials, operating at a distance and on paper, often seemed unaware of the human cost of this," she added.
Lin Homer, Director General of the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate, said she welcomed the report.Lin Homer, Director General of the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate, said she welcomed the report.
"The speed of deportation is often very largely dependent on the co-operation of individuals. In many cases that is not, and frankly will not, be forthcoming," she said."The speed of deportation is often very largely dependent on the co-operation of individuals. In many cases that is not, and frankly will not, be forthcoming," she said.
Meanwhile, Phil Wheatley, the Prison Service Director General, said staff were being trained to offer support to foreign national prisoners.Meanwhile, Phil Wheatley, the Prison Service Director General, said staff were being trained to offer support to foreign national prisoners.
Chief executive of crime reduction charity Nacro, Paul Cavadino, described the current position as an "administrative shambles".Chief executive of crime reduction charity Nacro, Paul Cavadino, described the current position as an "administrative shambles".
He claimed the government had created a legal presumption in favour of deporting foreign nationasl and called for this stance to be abandoned.He claimed the government had created a legal presumption in favour of deporting foreign nationasl and called for this stance to be abandoned.