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Foreign national prisoners and their families

Foreign national prisoners and their families. APF conference workshop 27 th February 2012. Who? Where from?. At the end of September 2011 there were 11,076 foreign nationals (defined as non-UK passport holders) held in prisons in England and Wales - 13% of the overall prison population.

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Foreign national prisoners and their families

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  1. Foreign national prisoners and their families APF conference workshop 27th February 2012

  2. Who? Where from? • At the end of September 2011 there were 11,076 foreign nationals (defined as non-UK passport holders) held in prisons in England and Wales - 13% of the overall prison population. • These prisoners came from 159 countries, but over half were from 10 countries (Jamaica, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Nigeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, Romania, Lithuania, Somalia, and India).

  3. What’s the trend? • The total number of foreign nationals in prison nearly doubled (99%) between 2000 and 2010. • This compares to a 20% increase in British nationals. • In 13 prisons, foreign national prisoners make up a quarter or more of the population.

  4. Finished the sentence but still not free ... • In 2010, for an average month, approximately 635 foreign national prisoners were detained in prisons and 1,135 detained in immigration removal centres beyond the end of their custodial sentence while deportation was considered.

  5. Slightly more foreign nationals are now moving to open conditions • ‘Hubs’ and all-foreign-national prisons (Canterbury, Bullwood Hall)

  6. Random example - Dartmoor • ‘There was virtually no information about the prison’s regime in languages other than English, and the use of interpreting services was woefully inadequate. Many foreign national prisoners indicated that they felt isolated and had little understanding of the prison system.’

  7. Or Birmingham (243 FNs)... • ‘There was little identification of the domestic or welfare needs of foreign nationals, many of whom felt much less safe than British prisoners and reported poorer relationships with staff. There was little effective communication with those who did not speak or understand English well and many felt isolated and were unaware how to access services.’

  8. But it’s not all bad - • Swansea, with only 18 foreign nationals, displayed good policy and practice, based on a recent needs analysis.

  9. Women prisoners and their families (PRT Report, No Way Out, Jan 2012) • Foreign national women in custody are more likely than UK nationals to have a number of dependent children. • Within the Hibiscus caseload over half have stated that they have dependent children under 18 and like UK nationals the majority of women are their main carers. • Of the few who are married, a number are co-defendants with their husbands and the child is separated from both parents • 41% were charged with offences such as deception and fraud, in relation to their immigration status and related paperwork.

  10. Agonising questions • Who will care for my children in my absence? • How can I maintain contact with my children? • How can I build a life elsewhere when I have settled in this country?

  11. HMIP Thematic 2006 – the big 3 issues • Family contact • Immigration • Language

  12. Why not? • Skype, email, internet • Two-way phone on every wing • Proper visitors’ centres paid for by the taxpayer • Quality legal advice

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