Scotland sees prison population rise after early release scheme

Scotland's prison population has risen above 8,000 after an early release scheme aimed at reducing overcrowding. In June and July, 477 prisoners, primarily those serving sentences of less than four years and with less than 180 days remaining, were released. Notably, over a third of these individuals were convicted of violent crimes, raising concerns about public safety. Initially, the prison population decreased by 350, but it quickly rebounded, surpassing pre-release numbers. The Scottish Prison Service reported that the prison population was already at a high level and had been increasing rapidly. Justice Secretary Angela Constance highlighted the risks posed to the health and safety of both inmates and staff due to overcrowding. In May, the chief inspector of prisons urged for immediate action to address the escalating numbers, which were nearing record highs. Victim support groups expressed disappointment with the early release initiative, arguing it undermined the significance of sentences and sent a negative message to victims. Kate Wallace from Victim Support Scotland criticized the short-term nature of the policy, drawing parallels to a similar situation during the COVID-19 pandemic when early releases led to a subsequent spike in the prison population. The Scottish government now faces scrutiny regarding future measures to manage the prison population effectively. There are questions about whether another round of early releases will be necessary to alleviate the pressure on the prison system, as the current situation poses challenges to maintaining safe operations within prisons.