Almost 400 short-term prisoners in Scotland could be released early in the new year under Scottish government plans to ease pressure on the country’s prisons.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance revealed in October proposals for inmates serving less than four years to be set free after 40% of their sentence as opposed to the current 50%, similar to a UK government change.
Those jailed for domestic abuse or sexual offences will be excluded from the scheme.
It has been estimated that between 260 and 390 inmates would be eligible for immediate release from February 2025 if the legislation is approved.
The Scottish government is aiming to pass the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill – which was lodged in Holyrood on Monday – under emergency procedures.
If given the go ahead, the early releases would be managed in three tranches over six weeks.
The change would also apply to prisoners sentenced from that point on.
In the long term, the government said the change could result in a sustained reduction of about 5% to the sentenced prison population.
The new bill also proposes powers for ministers to change the point of release under licence conditions for people serving sentences of four years or more.
Unless previously recommended for parole at an earlier stage, most long-term prisoners are eligible to be released under licence six months from the end of their sentence.
According to the latest Scottish Prison Service (SPS) data, Scotland’s prison population was 8,273 on 8 November – above the target operating capacity of 8,007.
Ms Constance said: “The prison population has continued to rise and is projected to reach critical levels again.
“Long-term action is necessary to deliver a sustained reduction to the prison population and support the effective functioning of prisons.
“The proposals include built-in exemptions for those serving sentences for sexual offences or domestic abuse.
“We need the prison system to focus on those who pose the greatest…
