Hundreds more lags to be let out in packed jails crisis

THE Scottish Government will release hundreds of dangerous criminals from prison early again in a bid to curb overcrowding in the country’s dilapidated jails.

- By David Walker Scottish Politics Reporter

It is the second time in 14 months that the SNP have decided to purge prisons of those serving sentences of four years or under.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance confirmed yesterday that she was exercising emergency powers to reduce the number of lags behind bars. Governors will be handed a veto where they can overrule plans to release cons if they believe that they will go on to commit more crimes.

Crimes

A total of up to 440 prisoners will be released during three fortnightly tranches in November to December, with even more let out in four monthly tranches between January and April, with this amounting to about 100.

The current jail population is 8,363, almost a record level in Scotland. Currently 10 prisons are at red risk status and 10 are on or over their assessed capacity tolerance.