Scotland's prison population reaches record high for second time in months

Scotland’s prison population has reached its highest ever level, just six months after its previous record high.

The number of individuals in custody hit 8,452 on Tuesday, surpassing the previous record of 8,430 set in October 2025.

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

The rise comes despite the introduction of the Prisoners (Early Release) Scotland Act 2025, which reduced the release point for eligible short-term prisoners from 50% to 40% of their sentence.

More than 500 convicted criminals serving sentences of less than four years have been freed early since November in an attempt to reduce overcrowding.

While the change provided temporary relief, the overall population has continued to climb sharply.

‘High and complex population’

The Scottish Government passed a motion to reduce the automatic release point for short-term prisoners on Wednesday.

The Parliament agreed that the Prisoners (Early Release) (Miscellaneous Amendment and Transitional Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (draft) be approved without a vote after presiding officer Alison Johnstone failed to hear an objection from the Scottish Conservatives.

It means that some short-term prisoners in Scotland could be released after serving 30% of their sentence – rather than 40% – under new government plans.

The changes would not apply to those convicted of domestic abuse or sexual offences.

Two new prisons – one in Inverness and one in Glasgow – are also in the process of being built and will add around 450 spaces to the prison estate.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said the changes would bring “welcome respite” to their staff.

A spokesperson said: “We have been managing an extremely high and complex population for more than two years, which this week reached a record level, and this has had an increasingly destabilising impact on our establishments, with staff unable to do the critical work of building relationships and supporting rehabilitation, and helping to the build safer communities we all want to see.

“The change to the release point of short-term prisoners, passed in the Scottish Parliament this week, will provide welcome respite, and we are grateful for the leadership of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs in this.

“We need to see a long-term reduction in our population, so we can fully support people in our care, reduce their risk of reoffending, and help build the safer communities we all want to see.”

The Scottish Government have been contacted for comment.