Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
THE BRITISH Government is in the process of deporting several hundred Jamaicans who have opted for early release from prison, on the condition that they return home.
Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Donovan Nelson, communication adviser at the National Security Ministry, confirmed that the British Government has proposed to send the first batch of 70 Jamaicans home by the end of the month.
And while unable to give a head count of those who have opted for early release and be deported, Mr. Nelson said the figure should be under 1,000. Reports are that about 2,400 Jamaicans are incarcerated in British prisons.
Gilbert Scott, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, said yesterday that the Government was bound under international obligation to accept persons who are certified as Jamaica nationals.
"We have not seen the list of persons who they (British Government) want to return," he said. "Until we have seen the list we cannot comment or respond."
He admitted, however, that the number to be sent home is around 400 although sources elsewhere are saying it could be as high as 680.
Reports had surfaced that the Jamaicans will be sent home on condition that they complete their prison sentences in Jamaica's penal system. This was, however, dismissed by Mr. Scott, who said they will be arriving in the island as free persons.
Major Richard Reece, Commissioner of Corrections, said yesterday that Jamaica does not have a prison transfer agreement with any country. He said in such a case, those incarcerated elsewhere must first agree that they want to return home.
The country's two maximum security penal institutions - the St. Catherine and Tower Street Adult Correctional Centres - are bursting at the seams, with a population of about 5,000 persons: 200 juveniles and 4,800 adults.
The majority of Jamaicans deported last year came from the United Kingdom. According to the 2003 edition of the Economic and Social Survey, 47.8 per cent or 1,982 of the 3,940 deportees came from the United Kingdom. Of that number, 1,228 were classified as illegal aliens, while another 629 were arrested for possession of drugs.
As many as 400 Jamaicans serving time in British jails are to be released early on condition that they be deported to Jamaica.The first batch of 70 deportees are to arrive in the island this month.Of the 3,940 deportees who came back last year, 1,982 or 47.8 per cent were from the United Kingdom while 1,671 arrived from the United States.In 2002, the island received 3,331 deportees with 1,567 coming from the United States and 1,461 from the United Kingdom.
