JAIL NUMBERS HIT NEW HIGH

Minister says overcrowding poses 'critical' risk

- LUCINDA CAMERON

SCOTLAND'S prison population hit another record high yesterday - as the latest batch of early releases began in a bid to tackle overcrowding.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance confirmed 139 inmates will be released this week.

The Scottish Parliament has approved plans that could result in about 990 prisoners being freed over the next six months.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said the jail population reached another record high of 8441 on Tuesday.

Constance said the releases are necessary to tackle overcrowding which poses a “critical risk” to the safety of those working in prisons.