Abstract
Many countries have established schemes for the transfer or repatriation of their citizens who are imprisoned elsewhere in the world. Such schemes are essentially humanitarian, but they may also result in some financial savings as well as lower recidivism. Australia has not as yet entered into any such scheme, even though the possibility was seriously considered a few years ago. This Trends and Issues by the Deputy Director of the Institute reviews the basic facts about Australian prisoners overseas and foreign prisoners in Australia. It concludes that it would be both compassionate and progressive for Australia to facilitate the international transfer of selected prisoners at this time.