§ Mrs. BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place to ensure that the Immigration Service(a) monitors the sentences of foreign national prisoners, with particular reference to those liable to deportation and (b) takes action to ensure repatriation or deportation takes place as soon as a prisoner's sentence has expired. [151082]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 26 January 2004]HM prisons are instructed to notify the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) of all foreign nationals sentenced to a term of imprisonment, together with their release dates once calculated.
IND then considers whether a person should be deported or removed and it is our aim, wherever possible, to remove such persons in line with their release from custody.
There are, however, reasons why this may not happen in a particular case. These may include such factors as the need to consider an appeal or application for leave to remain, the non-availability of travel document, difficulties with travel arrangements or other matters which have to be considered or addressed before the deportation or removal can be effected.
IND and the Prison Service work closely together and with individual inmates to keep any delays in effecting removal to a minimum.