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08/05/2006
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.
Mr Reid, who replaced Charles Clarke as Home Secretary after he was sacked over the row over the release of foreign prisoners last week, said that the final figure could reach "several hundred" if armed robbers were included in the category of serious criminals.
The previous figure had been estimated at 90 re-offenders.
Mr Reid made the announcement as he visited the team hunting foreign criminals who were released without being considered for deportation today.
He said: "This is a moving picture as we discover more and more. But we are also detaining and discovering more."
The new Home Secretary said that around 75 offenders in the most serious category had now been found, detained or were under surveillance.
Mr Reid met with police, immigration, probation and prison workers who make up the 60-strong team in Portsmouth.
Less than two weeks ago, it was revealed that 1,023 foreign prisoners had been freed without being considered for deportation between 1999 and March this year.
It later emerged that a further 288 prisoners had been set free after the Home Office become aware of the problem last summer.
The Home Office has yet to compile full details of how many crimes have been committed by the offenders since their release.
Last week, Mr Clarke delivered a report on the progress being made to trace the foreign prisoners who were released. He told the Commons that 574 cases were now being considered for deportation, of which 554 had been completed and 446 were to be deported.
However, out of the 79 most serious offenders, only 32 had been tracked down, leaving 38 still at large. He also said that five of these offenders had gone on to commit crimes.
The row lead to Mr Clarke being sacked as Home Secretary in the Cabinet reshuffle held after Labour's poor results in England's local elections last week.
(KMcA)
Mr Reid, who replaced Charles Clarke as Home Secretary after he was sacked over the row over the release of foreign prisoners last week, said that the final figure could reach "several hundred" if armed robbers were included in the category of serious criminals.
The previous figure had been estimated at 90 re-offenders.
Mr Reid made the announcement as he visited the team hunting foreign criminals who were released without being considered for deportation today.
He said: "This is a moving picture as we discover more and more. But we are also detaining and discovering more."
The new Home Secretary said that around 75 offenders in the most serious category had now been found, detained or were under surveillance.
Mr Reid met with police, immigration, probation and prison workers who make up the 60-strong team in Portsmouth.
Less than two weeks ago, it was revealed that 1,023 foreign prisoners had been freed without being considered for deportation between 1999 and March this year.
It later emerged that a further 288 prisoners had been set free after the Home Office become aware of the problem last summer.
The Home Office has yet to compile full details of how many crimes have been committed by the offenders since their release.
Last week, Mr Clarke delivered a report on the progress being made to trace the foreign prisoners who were released. He told the Commons that 574 cases were now being considered for deportation, of which 554 had been completed and 446 were to be deported.
However, out of the 79 most serious offenders, only 32 had been tracked down, leaving 38 still at large. He also said that five of these offenders had gone on to commit crimes.
The row lead to Mr Clarke being sacked as Home Secretary in the Cabinet reshuffle held after Labour's poor results in England's local elections last week.
(KMcA)
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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.
30 October 2003
Early deportation could save up to 400 prison places
Prisoners who are citizens of foreign countries are to be deported early, and so save around 400 prison places, under proposals outlined by Prisons and Probation Minister Paul Goggins today.
Early deportation could save up to 400 prison places
Prisoners who are citizens of foreign countries are to be deported early, and so save around 400 prison places, under proposals outlined by Prisons and Probation Minister Paul Goggins today.
10 April 2003
Extra funding secures 1000 more prison places
As the prison population lurches to another record level, the Home Office has welcomed the £174 million budget provisions that will add another 1,000 new jail places.
Extra funding secures 1000 more prison places
As the prison population lurches to another record level, the Home Office has welcomed the £174 million budget provisions that will add another 1,000 new jail places.
29 January 2007
Reid pledges to remain as Home Secretary
Home Secretary John Reid has said that he will not resign from his post, but warned that the Home Office faced further problems. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Reid said that it could take two and a half years to reform the beleaguered department, but pledged that he would "see it through".
Reid pledges to remain as Home Secretary
Home Secretary John Reid has said that he will not resign from his post, but warned that the Home Office faced further problems. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Reid said that it could take two and a half years to reform the beleaguered department, but pledged that he would "see it through".
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.
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