Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Monday, 23 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 31 October 2000. It was answered by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Tuesday, 31 October 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if it is his policy to seek enforcement of sentences of UK subjects abroad where better social reintegration of the offender will result; which countries his Department assesses as permitting better social reintegration; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to seek enforcement of sentences of UK subjects abroad where better social reintegration of the offender will result; which countries his Department assesses as permitting better social reintegration; and if he will make a statement. [134682] Mrs. Roche: The enforcement of custodial sentences in the interests of social rehabilitation imposed in another European Union country is already possible under the Council of Europe Convention on transfer of sentenced persons. The Prison Service considers requests from both United Kingdom and foreign nationals who wish to be repatriated abroad. Underlying consideration of requests is the principle that prisoners' chances of successfully reintegrating into society are substantially improved if prisoners are allowed to serve their sentence in their own country, where they will benefit from access to their own cultural traditions, language, and be able to strengthen links with the community into which they will eventually be released. As a consequence of this policy, there is no list of countries that permit better social reintegration.

Secondary information