Scots prisoners on short sentences are set to be released after serving just 40% of their time in an effort to alleviate overcrowding in Scottish jails. Angela Constance, the Justice Secretary, made the announcement following concerns raised by John Swinney about prisons being at capacity. The new policy will allow inmates serving less than four years to be eligible for release after 40% of their sentence, a reduction from the current 50%. However, individuals convicted of domestic abuse or sexual offences will not be included in the scheme.
Constance highlighted the necessity of preventing the prison population from reaching unsustainable levels, as over 8,300 individuals are currently incarcerated in Scottish prisons, with numbers expected to rise further. She indicated that the Scottish Government would mirror the UK Government’s strategy of early release for short-term prisoners to address the issue of overcrowding.
The proposed changes will require a new Bill in Holyrood to be fast-tracked on an emergency basis, potentially allowing it to be approved by MSPs within three days. Constance clarified that there would not be an immediate implementation of emergency early releases, but left open the possibility in the future if deemed necessary. Moreover, the exclusion of long-term prisoners from the early release programme was decided upon due to practical difficulties associated with hastening changes for this group.
Despite concerns raised about releasing long-term prisoners, Constance expressed support for increasing the time some of them spend under community supervision as part of their sentence, citing the benefits of such an approach. The Justice Secretary also acknowledged the potential challenges of implementing rapid changes and the need to explore alternative methods.
The move to release prisoners early comes after almost 500 individuals were previously granted early release over the summer, with some reoffending cases reported. Constance reassured that while the current proposal focuses on reducing overcrowding, the safety of both prison officers and inmates remains a priority. The decision to exclude domestic abuse and sexual offence offenders reflects specific considerations regarding these crimes.
As discussions progress, the Scottish Government aims to address the pressing issue of prison overcrowding while balancing considerations for public safety and the well-being of prisoners. The proposed changes signify a step towards managing the prison population effectively and ensuring a sustainable approach to incarceration in Scotland.