Clause 15
Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
12:45 pm
David Hanson (Minister of State, Ministry of Justice; Delyn, Labour)
Let me put the success of the transfer agreements and work in context. Two years ago, approximately 1,500 people were transferred by the Government out of prisons in England and Wales to foreign prisons. Last year, 2,784 prisoners were transferred out. In the current year we are on target to meet my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s aim of removing 4,000 prisoners from prisons in England and Wales. I accept that there is more to be done, which is why I am investing ministerial time in trying to secure agreements with the countries that I have mentioned, and why I will be trying to raise that issue this afternoon with my South African counterpart. There will be engagements across the board to ensure that that is done, because it needs to occur. However, the speed of transfer to date has been significant.
Hon. Members mentioned the two prisons that we have allocated entirely to foreign prisoners—Bullwood and Canterbury—to ensure that we transfer out prisoners at the end of their sentences much more efficiently and speedily. Border and Immigration Agency staff are working in those prisons with the Prison Service to effect a speedy transfer either to a final destination, or to a holding camp in the BIA estate. I welcome the support of the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome for that measure.