Gov't not ignoring prison conditions, says Johnson Smith

Faced with mounting criticism regarding its decision to reject the United Kingdom's prison deal, the Government of Jamaica has said it is not ignoring concerns about conditions in Jamaica's penal system.
  
Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, speaking on TVJ's Smile Jamaica on Monday morning, said funds have been allocated to the Ministry of  National Security to improve the state of correctional facilities.

"The minister of national security also announced...additional programmes to reduce the (prison) population using electronic monitoring and also using that means to separate violent and non-violent criminals so that you don't have that incubation process continuing," Senator Johnson Smith outlined.

She said inmates will also receive skills training.    

When asked whether the Government of Jamaica will re-negotiate the prison deal, Senator Johnson Smith skirted around the issue, reiterating instead that what was offered by the UK has not changed, hence, the Jamaican government's positions has also remained unchanged in terms of its rejection. 

"Jamaica and the UK have very good relations and we have cooperated for years on areas including the correctional services and we will continue so to do...But what has been offered, we do not believe it's in the best interest of the Jamaican people at this time," she insisted. 

UK

In the meantime, the British High Commission has said it will respect the decision of the Jamaican government to reject the UK prison deal.
   
The government disclosed last week that it had rejected the offer saying it was not beneficial to Jamaica.  
    
Under the British proposal, Jamaica would have to pay 60% of the cost of building the $5.5 billion prison.
    
The deal included the transfer of 300 Jamaican prisoners in British jails to complete their sentences in Jamaica.
    
British High Commissioner to Jamaica David Fitton said his country will, however, continue to return Jamaican nationals from UK prisons.
    
He said Britain and Jamaica will remain committed to an excellent bilateral relationship across a range of issues.