Britain to deport foreign prisoners before they serve half of sentences to ease capacity

​​​​​​​By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Britain will deport foreign prisoners before they serve their full sentences to free up vital prison capacity, the government said Wednesday.

The Justice Ministry said the move is set to boost efforts, which have already seen a 14% increase in deportations since last July.

Foreign offenders make up around 12% of the total prison population and deporting them sooner is estimated to free up around 500 prison places per year, according to a statement.

"On average a prison place costs £54,000 ($73,500) a year and the measures will stop wasting taxpayers’ millions while protecting the British public by getting foreign national offenders out of our prisons and off our streets," it said.

It added that changes to the Early Removal Scheme will mean prisoners with no right to be in the country will face deportation 30% into their prison term rather than the current 50%.