One thousand four hundred Jamaicans convicted of crimes
in Britain
could be sent home to complete their sentences.
In a move which should significantly ease the prisons crisis in the UK, an agreement with Jamaica is reportedly close to completion.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has revealed that deals will be signed to repatriate up to 3,000 foreign prisoners behind bars in the UK.
According to a report in the Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Brown also told Members of Parliament that agreements are being sought with Nigeria, Vietnam and China, which among them account for 1,700 prisoners in Britain.
It was unclear what terms the UK Government will agree on with the other countries.
The diplomatic deals could raise questions about sentences imposed by British courts being fully enforced.
Many of the Jamaican inmates are female drug "mules", caught smuggling illegal substances into Britain.
The report adds that any repatriation deals could therefore have an impact on the drugs market, by potentially encouraging smugglers to target the UK in the knowledge that mules could be sent straight home.
Jack Straw's Ministry of Justice was unable to provide details of the Prime Minister's announcement.
But Justice Minister Bridget Prentice confirmed earlier this month that the agreement with Jamaica was signed in London in June, and that each country must complete "respective constitutional procedures" before it comes into force.
Mr. Brown told the Commons during Prime Minister's Questions that deals have already been set up with more than 100 other countries, meaning prisoners deported part of the way through their sentences can serve the remainder in their home country.
The Government had earlier been accused of allowing Immigration systems to "break down" after it emerged that two of England's jails are wholly occupied by foreigners.
In a move which should significantly ease the prisons crisis in the UK, an agreement with Jamaica is reportedly close to completion.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has revealed that deals will be signed to repatriate up to 3,000 foreign prisoners behind bars in the UK.
According to a report in the Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Brown also told Members of Parliament that agreements are being sought with Nigeria, Vietnam and China, which among them account for 1,700 prisoners in Britain.
It was unclear what terms the UK Government will agree on with the other countries.
The diplomatic deals could raise questions about sentences imposed by British courts being fully enforced.
Many of the Jamaican inmates are female drug "mules", caught smuggling illegal substances into Britain.
The report adds that any repatriation deals could therefore have an impact on the drugs market, by potentially encouraging smugglers to target the UK in the knowledge that mules could be sent straight home.
Jack Straw's Ministry of Justice was unable to provide details of the Prime Minister's announcement.
But Justice Minister Bridget Prentice confirmed earlier this month that the agreement with Jamaica was signed in London in June, and that each country must complete "respective constitutional procedures" before it comes into force.
Mr. Brown told the Commons during Prime Minister's Questions that deals have already been set up with more than 100 other countries, meaning prisoners deported part of the way through their sentences can serve the remainder in their home country.
The Government had earlier been accused of allowing Immigration systems to "break down" after it emerged that two of England's jails are wholly occupied by foreigners.
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