UK to spend £25m on new prison in Jamaica

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

David Cameron announced the deal, which he said could save taxpayers £10 million a year, during a two-day visit in the Commonwealth country.

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.

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.