Foreign criminals to be deported after serving just 30 per cent of their jail terms to free up space in prisons and save taxpayer millions
Foreign prisoners will be deported after serving just a fraction of their jail sentences to save the taxpayer millions.
Labour will today bring forward legislation which will allow overseas offenders to be removed after serving 30 per cent of their sentence, down from the current 50 per cent.
It is the first element of a controversial series of sentencing changes to be implemented by the Government in the wake of its review by former Tory minister David Gauke.
The move will help create space in the overcrowded jails.
It is estimated the move will free up 500 prison spaces a year which cost £54,000 a year on average, meaning the scheme could save up to £27million annually.
There are currently more than 10,000 foreign nationals in jail in England and Wales making up 12 per cent of the total.
Prisoners eligible for the so-called 'early removal scheme' will also see other discounts under Labour's other sentencing reforms, as reported by the Mail last month, meaning they could be eligible for deportation after serving just 10 per cent of the sentence handed down by a court.
Offenders who are deported are also permanently barred from re-entering Britain.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 'With prisons close to bursting, I'm clear we shouldn't be giving bed and board to foreign criminals with no right to be here.
'These changes will get more of them on planes out of the country much sooner, saving taxpayers' money and keeping our streets safe as part of our Plan for Change.
'This Government's message is crystal clear - if you come here and break our laws, you'll be sent packing in record time.'
The existing early removal scheme came into operation in 2004.
It only applies to those serving a 'determinate sentence' – in other words, a specific period of time. Inmates sentenced to life are ineligible.
Anyone deported under the scheme is free upon arrival in their home country and is not required to serve any further jail time there.
Currently inmates can only be freed 18 months at the earliest before the end of their sentence but this will now be extended to four years.
The changes are expected to come into force in September after parliamentary votes.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has repeatedly urged Labour to cut the number of foreign offenders in the jails.
However, the moves may cause consternation among victims' groups because they will lead to some offenders serving very short sentences before being deported.
The proposal came as part of Mr Gauke's review which also set out how killers, rapists and other criminals will be freed from jail earlier.
In recommendations already adopted by Labour, it said criminals convicted of serious violence or sex offences could win their freedom after serving half their jail term, rather than at the current three quarters point.
The Government's while the Tories dubbed it a 'recipe for a crime wave'.
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