Former Jamaican ambassador to the US supports UK prison deal

Former Jamaican ambassador to the United States, professor Stephen Vasciannie, is supporting the offer by the UK to help Jamaica build a new prison.

Responding to concerns that the offer comes with disadvantageous conditions, Vasciannie, said it is the nature of diplomatic bargaining for offers to be made with so-called strings attached.

He argues that Jamaicans should not dismiss the main issue which is the need for a new prison to improve the current conditions. 

According to Professor Vasciannie, Jamaica should accept assistance to alleviate its human rights problem.

The United Kingdom has offered the Jamaican Government some £25 million to build a new prison so that certain Jamaican criminals in the UK can be sent home to complete their sentences.

READ: Former correctional services boss backs new prison

The £25 million is about 40 per cent of the money needed to building a 2,000-prisoner capacity, state-of-the-art facility.

The Government says it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to continue discussions on the proposed prison deal and transfer of prisoners. 

However, the UK appears to be maintaining that a prisoner transfer deal has already been signed.