The Hibiscus Jamaica Hostel has made preparations for more Jamaican female deportees from the United Kingdom who are expected to be coming into the island between next October and December.

Hibiscus Jamaica also known as The Female Prisoner's Welfare Project (FPWP) was established in 1993 but registered in 2004 and has been providing support to deported women upon their return.

According to the Executive Director St Rachel Ustanny most of these women have been living in the UK for over 10 years and have their families and have found suitable jobs. "When these women are being returned to Jamaica, Hibiscus Jamaica provide a wide range of assistance to them, which include airport pick-ups if needed, temporary shelter, food, clothing and sometimes assistance to their children," she said.

Ustanny said Hibiscus Jamaica has received information from the British High Commission that two chartered flights will be coming into the island between October and December of this year with deportees from the UK.

Ustanny said there has been a new trend since the last two years, "there has been a 85-90 per cent reduction in drug offences, the shift is now to visa and passport irregularities, and in most instances persons have overstayed their times."

Furthermore, Ustanny said: "There are presently 1,300 Jamaicans in the British criminal system to be deported, stated by the UK Border Agency in June and of that 1,300, 750 persons are serving prison sentences and another 550 are ready for deportation or in the process of appealing their cases in the courts." She also told THE WEEKEND STAR that 10 per cent of that amount are women.