Record Number of Foreign National Prisoners
- Call for Prison Service to develop effective policy and practice -

There are a record 9,000 foreign national prisoners in jails in England and Wales, one in eight of the overall prison population, following an almost threefold increase in numbers over the past decade, according to a report published today by the Prison Reform Trust.

The report, Going The Distance – Developing Effective Policy and Practice with Foreign National Prisoners by Hindpal Singh Bhui, notes that the official figures may well underestimate the actual number of foreign national prisoners as there are 1,200 people in custody whose nationality is not known.

The report says the needs of foreign national prisoners are being overlooked and they are not being given the attention and support they require. It says that in some cases they are treated with disrespect and experience racism.

The report notes that there are now two prisons, the Verne in Dorset and the women’s prison Morton Hall in Lincolnshire, where foreign national prisoners make up half or more of the population. In sixteen prisons they make up a quarter or more. These include:

Belmarsh in London, Blundeston in Suffolk, Brixton in London, Coldingley in Surrey, Cookham Wood in Kent, Downview in Surrey, Drake Hall in Staffordshire, Feltham in London, Highpoint in Suffolk, Send in Surrey, Swaleside in Kent, The Mount in Hertfordshire and Pentonville and Wormwood Scrubs in London.

Drawing on published evidence and original research in seven prisons, as well as the author's
extensive first-hand experience of working with foreign national prisoners, the report highlights a number of areas where foreign nationals’ needs have been neglected:

* A lack of information – foreign national prisoners experience particular problems because of being poorly informed about the legal system and prison rules and procedures. They struggle to access accurate legal and immigration advice during their sentence.

* Immigration related problems - Many foreign nationals remain in jail having completed their sentence because there is a failure by the authorities to monitor and then make arrangements for those who have been recommended for deportation.

* Language barriers - There has been a failure to provide adequate translation and interpretation facilities which means prisoners  miss out on basic provisions, such as showers and association because they have not understood staff instructions or basic questions.

* Isolation and mental health concerns – Foreign national prisoners experience unnecessary difficulties trying to maintain family contact, especially fulfilling their roles as parents. Separation from family in an alien environment can mean that their mental health needs are often greater than for other prisoners

* Racism and disrespect – Foreign national prisoners say that racism and a lack of respect and understanding from prison staff is not uncommon.

* Preparation for release – There is a lack of proper procedures in place to prepare foreign national prisoners for their release and there are insufficient resettlement programmes specifically for foreign national prisoners.

Based on the implementation of a successful foreign national strategy originally
developed in HMP Wandsworth the report puts forward proposals for the Prison Service to promote effective local and national policy and practice with foreign national prisoners. It concludes that despite pockets of good practice there is an absence of strategic direction and support for foreign national prisoners.

The report recommends the development of auditable standards and the formulation of a distinct Prison Service policy. It welcomes the introduction of foreign national co-ordinators in prisons and calls for more ring fenced time and support for this group of staff. It presses for foreign national prisoners to be given support and training so that they can help one another.

The Prison Reform Trust and HM Prison Service are also publishing today an information booklet on foreign national prisoners for staff and prisoners that is intended to begin to improve levels of information and conditions for the 168 different nationalities currently in custody. This useful booklet has been translated into ten languages and is available on the Prison Service intranet. It will be launched, together with the policy and practice guide, by the Minister for Prisons and Probation, Paul Goggins at Wormwood Scrubbs prison on 1st December 2004.

Speaking today  the Director of the Prison Reform Trust, Juliet Lyon, said:

‘The Prison Service does have to go the distance to work with foreign national prisoners who now make up an eighth of the prison population. Current failure to develop a strategy and respond humanely and effectively to foreign national prisoners condemns them to double punishment. Prison must be a very frightening and stressful place for those who are far from home, separated from their families, unable to understand basic instructions and rules or to ask for help and guidance.’