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One in four prisoners in London is a foreigner
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor17 Nov 2008
MORE than a quarter of prison places in London are occupied by foreign nationals despite Government efforts to increase deportations.
Official figures show 1,953 foreigners are in the capital's seven jails - accounting for 28 per cent of inmates.
The highest proportion is at Wormwood Scrubs, where 457 out of 1,650 prisoners are foreign.
In Wandsworth almost 30 per cent of prisoners are foreign. Pentonville and Brixton have a similar proportion.
British jails are already facing an overcrowding crisis that has prompted ministers to implement an early release scheme. So far this has led to about 30,000 people being freed before finishing their sentence, and has been criticised for damaging the ability of prison bosses to rehabilitate inmates.
London now has about 11,500 fewer prison places than convicts, forcing many to be sent elsewhere in the country to serve their sentences.
The high number of foreign inmates in London partially reflects the large number of overseas nationals living in the capital. Ministers also insist an increasing number is now being deported. But critics point out this usually happens only once their jail term is complete, and the Government has failed to deliver on a promise to send more back to their home countries to serve their sentences.
Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green obtained the London figures in written parliamentary replies from the Ministry of Justice.
He said: "This is a side-effect of the years when immigration has been out of control.
"The sheer numbers coming here have meant essential public services, including London's prisons, are under severe strain. All the tough talk from ministers bears no relation to real conditions."
Other London jails included in today's figures are Belmarsh, which has 193 foreign inmates - 21 per cent of its total population - and Holloway, which has 126 among its 485 women prisoners. About a quarter of Feltham Young Offender Institution's 650 places are filled by foreign nationals.
The Home Office, which deported more than 4,000 foreign criminals last year, failed to respond. The Ministry of Justice has previously said it is seeking to ensure more overseas offenders return home to serve their sentences.
Reader views (18)
If we sent the foreign prisoners back to their own countries to serve their time, we would have more room and time to jail our own criminals. We would save much more money of which we could spend on rehabilitation methods. Alternatively we can carry on letting these non-contributing foreigners out, dosed up on violent computer console games and "good behaviour" pocket money. Sorry, but I personally don't see the incentive.
When will this government protect the law-abiding public from these scrounging vermin?
- Miss C, Leeds, England, 19/11/2008 19:20
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This country out sources everything else then why not prison places i.e. send them back to there own country to do time. It would be a lot cheaper for us!!!
- Mark, LEEDS, 18/11/2008 09:57
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Remembrance Sunday has just passed. If those brave souls who gave there lives fighting for what their country was would of changed sides if they could see whats become of the UK today. If you disargee with this please ask a WW2 veteran what they think and stop kidding yourself.
- Mr M, London, 18/11/2008 06:26
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Why should we waste our money and resources jailing any foreign national in UK? We don't want any of them here; the criminals. They can all sod off home for me.
- Frank, England., 17/11/2008 23:41
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massive cost met by taxpayers, each prisoner costs annually 42,000 pounds to keep. Bring back Charles Clarke!
- Marph, London, 17/11/2008 23:26
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Blahdy forinners. They come over here, take our jobs, our women and our prison cells. Gaw, blimey guvnor. String 'em up, that's the only language they understand. Ere, you'll never guess who I had in the back of the cab just now. That's right, him, Gaunty off the radio.
- A. Cabbie, Lahndahn, 17/11/2008 21:44
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what is it the labour party says?"Immigrants help the economy"
- Linda, italy, 17/11/2008 18:36
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I think the same stastistics are world wide
- Michael Campbell, londonderry n ireland, 17/11/2008 18:26
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In the U.A.E all none nationals who go to jail get deported, no questions asked Simple commit a crime see ya
- Maurice, London, 17/11/2008 18:04
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On 19 October last year you ran an article that stated one third of people living in London were born abroad. If only one quarter of prisoners were born abroad, that suggests they are actually more law-abiding than the native population.
- Freya, London, 17/11/2008 14:13
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Most of know this .already
- P I Staker, London, 17/11/2008 13:47
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'Most 'Brits' are foreigners anyway' ha ha. Second only to racist and bigot to try and stem any questions about mass immigration. Add it to the list of Nulabour chants like 'This is the right thing to do' and 'We will do whatever is necessary'etc etc blah blah blah
- Roger, Staines., 17/11/2008 13:35
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According to Wiki, LB Wandsworth has 34% foreigners (non-British), while the proportion is 46% in LB Lambeth. This means that those white British people are significantly more likely to end up in jail. Lets hope your readers know how to put things in perspective.
- Jonathan, London, 17/11/2008 13:26
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Quote "Most 'Brits' are foreigners anyway". Really Eddie, last time I checked the country was made up of 90% white people born in the UK, funnt how selective you are with your info. It is high time Britain closed its doors, set up stricter immigration policies and mandatory deported all foreign criminals.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK, 17/11/2008 13:17
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I'm English, not British, Eddie! There is an enormous difference!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 17/11/2008 13:00
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Nice to see they're settling in nicely.
- Steve, London, 17/11/2008 12:08
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Most 'Brits' are foreigners anyway. Amazing how selective we can be when it suits us.
- Eddie, London, 17/11/2008 10:26
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About the same proportion as in the British Par;iament who are'nt English.
- L.Taubler, London / UK, 17/11/2008 09:37
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