UK to spend £25m on new prison in Jamaica, PM announces

Britain will spend £25 million on a new prison in Jamaica so hundreds of foreign criminals can be sent home to the Caribbean to serve their sentences, the Prime Minister said.

David Cameron announced the deal - which could save taxpayers £10 million a year when transfers begin in 2020 - as he arrived in the Commonwealth country on Tuesday for a two-day visit.

More than 600 Jamaican nationals are in British prisons, the third most from any country, but many cannot be deported due to fears of poor jail conditions on the Caribbean island that could go against human rights laws.

The foreign aid-funded project, which represents about 40% of the planned 1,500-capacity jail, has been agreed to break the deadlock in lengthy prisoner transfer negotiations between the UK and Jamaica.

More than 300 existing offenders are expected to be sent back under the scheme, which covers those sentenced to at least four years who have 18 months or more left to serve in custody.

It is absolutely right that foreign criminals who break our laws are properly punished but this shouldn't be at the expense of the hardworking British taxpayer.

That's why this agreement is so important. It will mean Jamaican criminals are sent back home to serve their sentences, saving the British taxpayer millions of pounds but still ensuring justice is done.

And it will help Jamaica by helping to provide a new prison, strengthening their criminal justice system.

– PRIME MINISTER, DAVID CAMERON

Mr Cameron - making the first trip to the island by a British prime minister since Tony Blair in 2001 - said the agreement would benefit both countries.

He is also announcing a wider £300 million regional infrastructure fund across the Caribbean, on projects including roads, bridges and ports that he said would "help the Caribbean on their path of development - supporting economic growth and creating new opportunities for people living here".

Prime Minister David Cameron inspects a Guard of Honour as he arrives at the airport in Kingston, Jamaica. Credit: PA

The Prime Minister travelled to the Caribbean after his visit to the United Nations in New York, where he joined allies for talks on how to step up the fight against the Islamic State group (IS).

He was greeted at the airport in Kingston by an honour guard and national anthems before heading off to visit RFA Lyme Bay, the British ship currently on anti-drug smuggling and emergency relief duties in the Caribbean.

He is due to finish the day by having talks with the prime minister Portia Simpson-Miller and a reception.