Scottish prisoners released from jail early to ease overcrowding

The first batch of prisoners to be released early from Scotland’s jails are being freed, officials have said.

Over the next four weeks between 500 and 550 inmates will leave custody to ease pressure on the country’s overcrowded prisons.

The move involves prisoners with 180 days or less to serve from a sentence of under four years.

It will not apply to people convicted of sexual or domestic abuse offences.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “We have worked collaboratively with partners to prepare those approaching the end of their sentence for a supported early release.

“Governors have vetoed anyone they found posed an immediate risk to individuals or groups, with the help of intelligence from police and social work.

“The safety and wellbeing of people in our care, our staff, and the communities we support continues to be a key priority throughout, with information for victims and families available on our website.”

Proposals for early prisoner release were announced in May following an “unprecedented” rise in the prison population.

As of 12 June, there was 8,294 people behind bars. The Scottish government said the number of prisoners had increased by 400 since 18 March.

In May, there was 8,365 prisoners in Scotland, the highest number since 2012.

Scottish Prisons have a target operating capacity of 8,007.

The plans were approved by Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee on 12 June.

While the cause of the increase in prisoners number is not yet known, Justice Secretary Angela Constance said there was a “critical risk” to the safe operation of the prison estate, with several prisons “essentially full”.

According to proposals, those serving a life sentence, those convicted of domestic abuse and those on the sex offenders register will not be eligible for early release, unless their conviction is spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Prisoner governors also have the power to prevent the release of any offender.

The proposals also note that that a prisoner who is sentenced during the four-week release period could, in certain circumstances, be released the next day.

Prisons On The Brink is available here on BBC iplayer.

Lucy Adams investigates the impact of overcrowding, drugs and suicides on inmates and staff, and asks whether our crumbling prison estate can cope much longer.

The release is to take place over four phases to provide certainty for those due to be released and to ensure reasonable planning can take place.

These will take place weekly, beginning on Wednesday, and end on 18 July.

The phased releases will also help to manage any potential impact on services, including victim support organisations.

Victim Support Scotland expressed concerns over early prisoner release and warned it could create trauma, anxiety and “essentially more victims”.

The charity’s chief executive Kate Wallace previously said: “Victims are still feeling the impact of when prisoners released on an emergency basis during Covid, which resulted in numerous drug deaths and a 40% reoffending rate within the first six-months.

Ms Wallace added the charity would work with the government to minimise the negative impact on victims and maximise the support available.

Victims who are concerned about the impact this may have can contact them.