Scottish government unveils plan to release short-circuited prisoners earlier | British news

Prisoners in Scotland serving less than four years in prison could be released earlier under new plans announced by the Scottish Government.

Justice Minister Angela Constance unveiled proposals to release prisoners after 40% of their sentence, instead of 50%, similar to a change in the British government.

Those jailed for domestic violence or sexual offenses will be excluded from the scheme.

Nearly 500 prisoners were serving short sentences north of the border came out early in recent months to reduce overcrowding amid a spike in prison populations.

However, Ms Constance said more needs to be done as the situation has once again reached a “critical level”.

There were a total of 8,322 prisoners inside Scotland prisons starting Thursday morning.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Ms Constance said forecasts up to January 2025 indicate the prison population will continue to rise.

She said: “Without intervention this would put us in an untenable position and we cannot and must not allow this to happen.”

A new bill will be needed in Holyrood to implement the changes, which Ms Constance said will be introduced in November.

It will be implemented on an emergency basis and is scheduled to come into force from February.

If supported by MSPs, it is estimated that the changes could reduce the prison population by between 260 and 390.

A total of 477 prisoners were released early in four tranches over the summer 57 returns to prison until September 18 after he allegedly committed more crimes.

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Ms Constance said she could not rule out another round of emergency releases.

She said: “It is not my intention to ask Parliament to reauthorize the use of parole at this stage.

“I am aware, however, that if it is necessary and there is no alternative, it may be necessary.”

Read more:
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A consultation was recently completed proposals for the early release of long-term prisoners after serving two-thirds of their sentence.

Unless parole is recommended at an earlier stage, most long-term prisoners are eligible for release six months after the end of their sentence.

The move would be a return to pre-February 2016 policies.

Mrs. Constance has decided against such a move at this time.

Following her statement, she said: “Public safety remains of paramount importance, which is why I am only targeting short-term prisoners and with built-in exemptions.

“I recognize the concerns that may arise for victims and their families and I am committed to working closely with victim support organizations on important issues.

“The measures I have outlined are necessary to help prisons continue to function effectively and I remain grateful to the staff of the Scottish Prison Service for their continued resilience.

“We must ensure that we have a prison complex that houses those who pose a risk to the public and provides all the support necessary to allow people to leave on a better path and never return.”

The Scottish Conservatives called the early release of prisoners a “betrayal of victims, endangers the safety of the community and makes a mockery of independent judicial convictions”.

Shadow Justice Secretary Liam Kerr said: “Rather than continually failing Scotland’s victims, the SNP should apply some common sense and focus on delivering long-awaited new prisons in Glasgow and the Highlands to tackle the prison population crisis. enlighten.”