The government of UK is widening its ‘depot first, appeal later’ policy to include criminals from 23 countries, up from the current 8. The ministers say that this decision aims to tackle overcrowding in the jail and to address public concerns over time, as per The Guardian.
The new list cover countries including India, Canada, Australia, Bulgaria, Angola, Guyana, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Latvia, Uganda and many more.
How the Policy Works?
The policy was first launched by the Conservatives in 2014 and was reinstated in 2023. It allows international criminals to be deported seen before their appeal is heard. Only if a criminal can prove that they are unsafe in their home country, the deportation process may be halted. It already include offenders from Tanzania, Finland, Belize, and Estonia.
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Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood highlighted plans to remove foreign criminals serving fixed-time in prison immediately after conviction which stops them from returning to the United Kingdom.
Criminals who have life sentences for crimes such as murder or terrorism will stay in Britain until their sentence is completed.
What did the Government Say?
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper asserted that the goal is to prevent these criminals from disrupting the immigration system as they stay in the UK for a longer period of time, until their appeals are in progress.
Approximately 5,179 foreign criminals have been deported since Labor took office in July 2024. Government figures show that it is a straight 14% hike as compared to the previous year.
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Legal Concerns and Criticism
Two ex-Conservative justice secretaries, Alex Chalk and Robert Buckland, are concerned that this might make the United Kingdom a ‘magnet for offenders’. They explain that some criminals, including burglars, domestic abusers, and even rapists, may avoid prison time altogether.
The initial scheme was ruled unlawful in 007 by the Supreme Court as it prevented criminals from providing live evidence in court appeals. However, the government then introduced agreements allowing video testimony.
The Ministry of Justice still can’t admit for sure whether the criminals will face prison time or not in their home countries.
