Scotland's prison population has climbed to an all-time high, despite the SNP’s mass early release of more than 600 criminals over the last six months.
There were 8,602 inmates behind bars yesterday in a system which was designed to accommodate only 7,805, according to figures from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).
The re-elected Scottish Government has admitted the population has reached critical levels.
Since June 2024, more than 1,400 prisoners including violent thugs have been freed early. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘Despite the Nationalists risking public safety by freeing more than 1,400 inmates early, prisons are still bursting at the seams and overcrowding is at critical levels.
‘This crisis – and the abject response to it – is the direct result of the SNP’s failure to deliver the new prisons they promised in Glasgow and the Highlands, both of which are years behind schedule and massively over budget.’
The automatic release point for some short-term prisoners was changed last year from 50 per cent to 40 per cent – and this month it will be reduced to 30 per cent. Prisoners convicted of sexual offences and domestic abuse have been barred from early release.
The rise in the number of long-term prisoners is being driven in part by an increase in convictions over serious organised crime and historic sexual offences.
Nearly 2,000 prisoners are being held on remand, awaiting trial or deportation.
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr
An SPS spokesman said: ‘The size and complexity of our population is unsustainable and presents a significant risk to the safety of those living and working in our establishments. It will also impact on the wider justice system, resulting in an increased burden on courts, policing, social work and health partners.’
The Scottish Government said work was under way in response to the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission’s recommendations on strengthening ‘community-based’ alternatives to shorter prison sentences.
Funding for community sentences has increased to £169million, new prisons in Glasgow and Inverness will add 464 places, and greater use is being made of home detention curfews – where prisoners are freed early wearing tags.
A government spokesman said addressing prison population needs ‘bold, collaborative action’.