International transfer of prisoners
Australia's International Transfer of Prisoners Scheme
International transfer of prisoners schemes allow people imprisoned in one country to apply to transfer to another country to serve the balance of their sentences.
The basis of the schemes is that prisoners should be allowed to serve their sentences in their home country, or the country with which they have the greatest personal links. For example, prisoners might seek to transfer to another country because members of their family are resident in that country.
Many countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, have well established international transfer of prisoners schemes.
The International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997 was passed by the Australian Parliament in 1997 with the unanimous support of all parties. It provides the Federal legislative framework for an Australian international transfer of prisoners scheme.