Guidance

Foreign nationals in prison policy framework

Policy framework for prison officers who work with foreign nationals in prison, Home Office referrals, repatriation, immigration, deportation and consular access.

• From: Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service
• Published: 8 April 2026

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Foreign nationals in prison policy framework

PDF, 605 KB, 48 pages

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Details

This policy framework sets out mandatory action and guidance for staff in all prisons that hold foreign nationals, from instructions on notifying embassies on reception, referring newly sentenced prisoners to the Home Office to discharge and immigration detention. The framework also provides brief description of various removal schemes and deportation process.

This framework is not about the management of Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) but relates to processes around immigration and consular access. This framework contains simplified guidance on removal schemes and Home Office deportation process and signposts to other policies and frameworks where appropriate.

Published 8 April 2026