Reform UK's policing and crime adviser Colin Sutton has called on the Labour Government to “get them out” as he demanded all foreign prisoners be deported to free up space in Britain’s overcrowded jails.
Speaking to Alex Armstrong, Mr Sutton argued that the public has “had enough” of dangerous offenders being released early because prisons are full.
He said: “I think most people would say: just get them out. Deport them as soon as they’re convicted.
"As long as they’re away from us, then they become the problem of their home country which is probably how it should be.”
As of late 2025, the number of foreign nationals in prisons across England and Wales is approximately 10,800 to 11,000, representing about 12 per cent of the total prison population.
He added: "We’re not going to save a huge amount of money immediately.
Colin Sutton has called on the Labour Government to 'get them out'
|GB NEWS
"But what deportation would do is free up space in our prisons for our own criminals.
"That means we wouldn’t have to release them after serving just 40 per cent, 30 per cent or whatever it is this week of their sentences.
"Most people would agree that if we’re spending the money anyway, let’s spend it keeping dangerous offenders off the street, rather than releasing them early.
"At the moment, of the top ten countries whose nationals fill our prisons, we only have that scheme in place with Nigeria and Albania.
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"If we could extend it to the others, we could deport offenders straightaway and let them carry out their appeals on Zoom but from outside the UK.
"That’s where there’s real scope to improve things and create more space in our prisons.
"The bottom line is: we haven’t got enough prison spaces. Yes, we need to build more prisons.
"But right now, the quickest solution is to make space for our own criminals by sending foreign offenders home."
Earlier in the year, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "With prisons close to bursting, I'm clear we shouldn't be giving bed and board to foreign criminals with no right to be here.
"These changes will get more of them on planes out of the country much sooner, saving taxpayers' money and keeping our streets safe as part of our Plan for Change.
"This government's message is crystal clear - if you come here and break our laws, you'll be sent packing in record time."