Taiwan Transfers Third British Inmate to the United Kingdom, Strengthening Cooperation with Democratic and Rule-of-Law Partners Worldwide

On the morning of December 8, 2025, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) successfully transferred a British female inmate to the UK officers, enabling her return to the United Kingdom to continue serving her remaining sentence. This marks the third case completed under the bilateral Prisoner Transfer Arrangement between Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

In close coordination with the British Office Taipei, MOJ facilitated the inmate’s return to her home country to serve the remaining sentence. The transfer not only allows for more convenient family visits but also supports the inmate’s future reintegration into society, reflecting the rehabilitative purpose of criminal sanctions.

The transfer request was submitted by the British Office Taipei through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February 2025. Following review by the MOJ’s Sentenced Persons Transfer Review Panel, approval was granted on October 23 of the same year.

To ensure the smooth execution of this third Taiwan–UK inmate transfer, the MOJ maintained close contact with the UK side and all relevant domestic agencies. Multiple interagency coordination meetings were convened, bringing together representatives from HM Prison & Probation Service UK, the British Office Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Immigration Agency, the Investigation Bureau of the MOJ, the Taoyuan City Field Division, the Agency of Corrections, the Taoyuan Women’s Prison, and the Taiwan Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office. These meetings finalized the operational procedures and escort arrangements to ensure seamless implementation. The handover was successfully completed on December 8, 2025.

To help foreign inmates reintegrate into society while upholding Taiwan’s judicial sovereignty, Taiwan and the United Kingdom signed the Prisoner Transfer Arrangement in April 2016. Taiwan has also concluded similar agreements with several European countries, including Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Switzerland. To date, Taiwan has transferred seven German inmates, three British inmates, one Danish inmate, one Polish inmate, and one Swiss inmate back to their respective home countries to continue serving their sentences.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Justice will continue to advance international judicial cooperation. Taiwan will work hand in hand with democratic, rule-of-law nations across the globe to uphold justice, safeguard human dignity, and promote shared humanitarian values.