UK to release thousands of inmates and speed up deportations amid prison overcrowding

Facing a surge in prison overcrowding, the United Kingdom will begin releasing thousands of prisoners earlier than originally planned. Concurrently, the state aims to hasten the deportation of foreign offenders, and from 2027 it intends to scrap the mandatory minimum time these individuals must serve in British prisons. European officials have expressed unease, citing worries over sudden releases and deportations without advance notice to destination countries.

According to discussions, neighboring authorities have not received detailed information about the operation, and no formal cooperation exists. Mark Day, deputy director of the Prison Reform Trust, notes that the receiving country ultimately decides the terms of any further punishment, which may be lighter or harsher than the UK sentence. The policy primarily affects inmates from several EU nations, including Poland and Romania.