Written question asked by Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 4 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 November 2009. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 November 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Prisoners: Foreigners

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals are serving prison sentences in England and Wales.

Answer: Figures published by the Ministry of Justice confirm that at June 2009 there were 11,400 foreign nationals held. This figure includes those in the immigration removal centres Dover, Haslar and Lindholme as well as those held on remand or serving custodial sentences.Statistics on the number of foreign nationals held in the individual prisons and immigration removal centres can be found at the Ministry of Justice's website at:"http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/population-in-custody-06-2009.pdf"

Secondary information