Major Richard Reese, the commissioner of corrections, says the transfer of 40 female prisoners from the United Kingdom (U.K.) to Jamaica should have little impact on the Fort Augusta female penal institution in St. Catherine.

Major Reese was responding to news that Jamaica would possibly accept Jamaican prisoners serving time in the U.K. for minor offences.

"If you look at capacity, we are actually under capacity where female inmates are concerned," he said.

He explained that with a capacity for 350 inmates, Fort Augusta currently has under 180 inmates. Of that number, 42 are children who are in separate dormitories, said Major Reese.

Proposed MoU

Under the proposed MoU between the two countries, the prisoners would serve the greater portion of their sentence in the U.K. but Jamaica would send home those who have six months or less remaining.

The Government, however, needs to pass relevant laws in Parliament before the prisoner agreement can take place.

Meanwhile, Major Reese said there has been a reduction in the number of female prisoners being incarcerated at that institution. He has attributed the decline to fewer women participating in drug trafficking.

He said this was due in part to the success of the initiatives implemented by the Ministry of National Security and, in particular, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, assisted by its overseas partners.

The department will commence its week of activities today with a church service at the Portmore Seventh-day Adventist Church in Portmore, St. Catherine.

The week is being recognised under the theme: 'Do justly - Love mercy - Walk humbly'.

Other activities for the week include an annual awards dinner on Thursday. The week will culminate with a Mega Praise and Gospel concert on November 3 at the Prison Oval in Spanish Town, St. Catherine.