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25/04/2006
Foreign prisoners escape deportation
More than 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released in the UK instead of being deported, Home Office figures have shown.
The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
There were also 41 burglars, 20 drug importers, 54 people convicted of assault and 27 convicted of indecent assault.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke has apologised for the failure and acknowledged that the public will be angered by the oversight.
He said that the problem had occurred because the Prison Service was not focused on the nationality of prisoners, while the Immigration and Nationality Directorate was preoccupied with other matters.
Mr Clarke said: "We simply didn't make the proper arrangements for identifying and considering removal in line with the growth of numbers that were there.
"This is a failure of the Home Office and its agencies for which I take responsibility."
So far, the IND has located 107 of the former prisoners, 20 of whom have been deported.
The IND said that 160 of the criminals had been recommended for deportation by the courts at the end of their sentence. Lin Horner, IND Director General, said that 14 of those former prisoners had been located, five of whom have been deported, while the other nine were considered inappropriate for removal.
The number of prisoners in England and Wales born overseas has increased sharply from 4,300 in 1996 to more than 10,000 at the end of February this year.
Commenting on the revelation, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "It is extraordinary that so many people who have been convicted of serious offences and should have been considered for deportation have simply disappeared.
"All the government's tough talk on crime counts for nothing in the face of this incompetence. What possible excuse can there be for this disgraceful state of affairs?"
(KMcA/CD)
The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
There were also 41 burglars, 20 drug importers, 54 people convicted of assault and 27 convicted of indecent assault.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke has apologised for the failure and acknowledged that the public will be angered by the oversight.
He said that the problem had occurred because the Prison Service was not focused on the nationality of prisoners, while the Immigration and Nationality Directorate was preoccupied with other matters.
Mr Clarke said: "We simply didn't make the proper arrangements for identifying and considering removal in line with the growth of numbers that were there.
"This is a failure of the Home Office and its agencies for which I take responsibility."
So far, the IND has located 107 of the former prisoners, 20 of whom have been deported.
The IND said that 160 of the criminals had been recommended for deportation by the courts at the end of their sentence. Lin Horner, IND Director General, said that 14 of those former prisoners had been located, five of whom have been deported, while the other nine were considered inappropriate for removal.
The number of prisoners in England and Wales born overseas has increased sharply from 4,300 in 1996 to more than 10,000 at the end of February this year.
Commenting on the revelation, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "It is extraordinary that so many people who have been convicted of serious offences and should have been considered for deportation have simply disappeared.
"All the government's tough talk on crime counts for nothing in the face of this incompetence. What possible excuse can there be for this disgraceful state of affairs?"
(KMcA/CD)
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03 May 2006
Blair announces plans to toughen deportation laws
Tony Blair unveiled plans to toughen deportation laws to ensure that all foreign prisoners convicted of serious crimes are deported from the UK, during a stormy Prime Minister's question time.
Blair announces plans to toughen deportation laws
Tony Blair unveiled plans to toughen deportation laws to ensure that all foreign prisoners convicted of serious crimes are deported from the UK, during a stormy Prime Minister's question time.
26 April 2006
Conservatives call for Clarke's resignation
The Conservatives have called for Home Secretary Charles Clarke to resign following revelations that more than 1,000 foreign prisoners were released from prison without being screened for deportation. Three murderers and nine rapists were among the criminals who were released from prison since 1999.
Conservatives call for Clarke's resignation
The Conservatives have called for Home Secretary Charles Clarke to resign following revelations that more than 1,000 foreign prisoners were released from prison without being screened for deportation. Three murderers and nine rapists were among the criminals who were released from prison since 1999.
26 January 2007
Government announces tougher border controls
The government has announced plans to introduce tougher powers for immigration officers with the publication of the new UK Borders Bill. The Bill will give the new Border and Immigration Agency a wide range of new powers to deter, detect and deport those breaking the rules.
Government announces tougher border controls
The government has announced plans to introduce tougher powers for immigration officers with the publication of the new UK Borders Bill. The Bill will give the new Border and Immigration Agency a wide range of new powers to deter, detect and deport those breaking the rules.
26 May 2006
Foreign prisoners to be moved from open jail
Foreign prisoners being held at Ford open prison are to be returned to closed prisons, the Prison Service has announced. The announcement comes after 11 prisoners absconded from the prison this month. They included Jamaican drug dealer Ransford James Baker, who was facing deportation.
Foreign prisoners to be moved from open jail
Foreign prisoners being held at Ford open prison are to be returned to closed prisons, the Prison Service has announced. The announcement comes after 11 prisoners absconded from the prison this month. They included Jamaican drug dealer Ransford James Baker, who was facing deportation.
08 May 2006
Number of offenders rise in deportation cases
The number of offenders who committed serious offences after being released from prison without being considered for deportation is at least 150, new Home Secretary John Reid has revealed.
Number of offenders rise in deportation cases
The number of offenders who committed serious offences after being released from prison without being considered for deportation is at least 150, new Home Secretary John Reid has revealed.
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