THIS IS A JAIL EMERGENCY

Support groups fear plan could have negative impact on victims

- PAUL HUTCHEON

VIOLENT thugs will be released early from prison under SNP government plans to solve an overcrowding "emergency".

Up to 500 inmates are in line to get out of jail early but sex offenders and domestic abusers will be excluded from the plan.

Last night victims' groups and opposition MSPs reacted with fury to the scheme's announcement.

The move comes after prison watchdogs said "emergency measures" were needed to tackle overcrowding, with the prison population at its highest level since 2012.

Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, hit out at the plan.

She said: "Rumours about emergency release plans have been rife for some time now and only confirmed today with little notice.

"Surely we could have spent that time planning for this and taking into account victims' views? "We worry that the Scottish Government has seriously underestimated the negative impact this will have on victim confidence in the justice system." In a statement at Holyrood yesterday. Justice Secretary Angela Constance warned MSPs that Scotland's prisons are "essentially full".

The government will now ask Holyrood to activate the power of releasing prisoners early.

She said: "My hope was this would never need to be used. However, as things stand today, my view is we have reached the threshold for taking emergency action.