The Editor, Sir:

I wondered for a moment when I read the article 'Prime Minister of Jamaica calls for international assistance on deportees, guns', what happens to 'deportees' when escorted back to the shores of Jamaica? Are they monitored by the security forces or are they allowed to run wild and free? For sure, they have paid their debt to the society that expelled them, but what is their impact on the Jamaican society?

Should the PM seek help from other countries to deal with our domestic problem? I don't think the U.S. or any other developed country is willing to help us. As far as they are concerned, they got rid of the problem from their country, why should they care? Many deportees aren't willing to be rehabilitated, a sad but true reality we must come to terms with. So what should we do?

I think we need to take a more radical and practical approach. We need to: Treat those who are criminals for what they are. Assess the nature of their crimes and have them report to a deportee officer (like a parole officer).

We can also create jobs for them. There are plenty potholes on the island's roads to fill and a lot of 'idle' government land - send them to farm it.

If they lack the necessary skill set, give them training so they can be of some use to the society.

There are many university graduates seeking employment, Madam Prime Minister, use these minds to generate the solutions for this problem instead of crawling to the U.S. for help.

I am, etc.,

DAVE JAMES

likkledread@hotmail.com