Debate contribution: Prisoners: Early Removal Scheme

Debate contribution by Mr Gareth Wilson on 19 October 2026.

MLA: Mr Gareth Wilson
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 19 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Prisoners: Early Removal Scheme
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5795797

Text

I thank the Minister for her answer. I think that most members of the public would be astounded to hear that, despite all the pressures on our prison and justice services, our system is at odds with that in the rest of the UK and foreign prisoners who have come to this country and committed a crime can simply opt out of the scheme. While I appreciate that we are approaching the end of the mandate, will the Minister reconsider her position and undertake any action to enable the scheme to be strengthened in a future mandate?

97 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 4130/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

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