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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Helen Pidd

MoJ to free up cells by deporting more foreign prisoners and axing short terms

HMP Wormwood Scrubs
HMP Wormwood Scrubs. The justice secretary, Alex Chalk, is to announce new ways of freeing up capacity in the prison estate. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

The justice secretary will commit to freeing up space in the dangerously overcrowded prison estate by deporting more foreign criminals and phasing out short sentences in favour of community punishments.

Two-thirds of prisons in England and Wales are overcrowded, according to Guardian analysis of official figures, and last week judges were told to delay the sentencing of convicted criminals on bail, including rapists and burglars, because jails are almost full.

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