Scottish prisons will be 'over capacity by 1,000 inmates' within weeks

The population of Scottish prisons is projected to be over capacity by more than 1,000 inmates within weeks.

The number of inmates has continued to rise despite the emergency early release programme this summer.

Figures released by the Scottish Government show the overall prison population has “increased rapidly” since July and is projected to rise even further.

The report predicts the prison population could exceed 9,000 by December. The capacity of the Scottish Prison Service is around 8,000.

Statistics released by the Scottish Prison Service have revealed there are 8,274 people currently in custody across the country.

As part of the early release programme 477 people serving short-term sentences were released in June and July of this year. It has now been revealed that 57 have returned to custody prior to their original earliest date of liberation.

Less than ten days after release, 12 people had returned to jail.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “Working with the Scottish Government, and our partners, we delivered an Emergency Early Release (EER) programme, which prioritised the safety and wellbeing of those in our care, victims, and the communities we serve.

“We have been open and transparent throughout, publishing the number of individuals released at each stage, followed by a series of breakdowns. The latest publication on returns to custody continues this approach.

“While EER provided much needed respite to our establishments, staff, and those in our care, it was always recognised that this was a temporary measure. In recent months, our population has risen sharply once more, and remains extremely complex.

“This continues to have a significant impact on our staff and the time available to them to do the important work in supporting people, building relationships, turning lives around, reducing the risk of reoffending, and creating a safer Scotland for all.”

The Scottish Government said the early release scheme had been “necessary”.

A spokesperson said: “Whilst no level of reoffending is acceptable and we do not want any more victims of crime, the return to custody rate for those released under the scheme was substantially lower than the average reconviction rate of those serving four years or less.

“The early release scheme for some short-term prisoners was necessary so prisons could continue to function safely and effectively following a sharp and unexpected rise in the prison population.

“Public safety was paramount, with only those serving less than four years considered, with the majority eligible for release having 90 days or less left to serve. There were specific safeguards built into the process, including exclusions for those serving domestic abuse and sexual offences, and a governor power of veto for those prisoners deemed an immediate risk to a specific individual or group.”