Almost 1,000 Scottish prisoners to be released early in bid to battle overcrowding

Around 1,000 inmates are to be released early after the Scottish Parliament approved emergency plans to address prison overcrowding throughout the country.

Prisoners serving sentences of four years or less and within 180 days of their scheduled release date will be eligible under the new emergency scheme.

Those jailed sexual offences or domestic abuse will be excluded from the plan. Prison governors can veto an eligible person’s early release if there is evidence they would pose an immediate risk to specific individuals or groups.

Based on the current criteria, the Scottish Parliament believe 440 prisoners could be released by December 2025.

Around 550 could be released before April 2026, with the largest release coming at the beginning of the new year.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “These emergency measures are necessary and proportionate to maintain prison security and good order, as well as the safety and welfare of prisoners and staff. Emergency release will reduce the prison population within days, with scheduled releases over six months maintaining this effect.

“These regulations include safeguards: statutory exclusions for sex offenders and those serving sentences for domestic abuse, plus additional exclusions for prisoners with unspent domestic abuse convictions or non-harassment orders. In addition, prison governors can veto releases that pose an immediate risk of harm to an identifiable individual or group.”

This will be the third early prisoner release scheme as Scotland’s prison population reached its highest ever level, with more people behind bars now than at any time on record.

The number of individuals in custody has been rising steadily for months and hit 8,430 on October 21, surpassing the previous record of 8,420 set in 2012.

Scotland’s prisons were designed to hold 7,805 inmates, meaning they are now accommodating more than 600 additional people.