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

Justice secretary planning to remove overseas criminals after six months and give more community sentences in England and Wales

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.