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Early release for foreign inmates Early release for foreign inmates
(about 1 hour later)
Foreign prisoners are to be released early because of overcrowding in jails in England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has announced. Foreign prisoners are to be released earlier because of overcrowding in jails in England and Wales, the government has announced.
Justice minister David Hanson said foreign inmates would be eligible to be removed 270 days before serving half their sentence - rather than 135 days. Justice Minister David Hanson said foreign inmates could now be deported 270 days before serving half their sentence - rather than the present 135.
He told the Commons the scheme could make an "even greater contribution to removing criminals from our shores". The Ministry of Justice said all those freed would be deported, not released onto Britain's streets.
Last week, the prison population reached a record high of 81,918.Last week, the prison population reached a record high of 81,918.
Of those, 11,310 (14%) are foreign national inmates.Of those, 11,310 (14%) are foreign national inmates.
Government pledges Parole board
BBC home affairs correspondent June Kelly said all foreign prisoners have to serve at least a quarter of their sentence before they are eligible for release.BBC home affairs correspondent June Kelly said all foreign prisoners have to serve at least a quarter of their sentence before they are eligible for release.
She said those serving a life sentence would not be eligible and prisoners serving a term of four years or more for a sexual or violent offence would have to go before a parole board before being considered for release.She said those serving a life sentence would not be eligible and prisoners serving a term of four years or more for a sexual or violent offence would have to go before a parole board before being considered for release.
In a written statement, Mr Hanson said more than 3,000 prisoners had been deported under the Early Release Scheme since its introduction in 2004. In a written statement, Mr Hanson told the Commons the Early Release Scheme could make an "even greater contribution to removing criminals from our shores".
"This has made a significant contribution to reducing the number of foreign national criminals on our streets," he said. More than 3,000 prisoners had already been deported under the scheme which was introduced in 2004, he said.
The rise in the prison population has meant police cells are regularly used to handle the overspill.The rise in the prison population has meant police cells are regularly used to handle the overspill.
Gordon Brown has repeatedly pledged to cut prison numbers by sending prisoners home to serve their sentences.Gordon Brown has repeatedly pledged to cut prison numbers by sending prisoners home to serve their sentences.
He has also promised that more will be ejected from the UK on release from jail.He has also promised that more will be ejected from the UK on release from jail.