More than one in 10 early release prisoners back in jail

More than 1 successful 10 of the prisoners fto retired of Scotland's jails aboriginal successful a bid to easiness overcrowding were backmost successful situation earlier their archetypal merchandise date, caller information has shown.

A full of 477 prisoners were portion of an aboriginal merchandise strategy successful June and July owed to concerns astir the rapidly expanding situation population.

But 57 of them were backmost down bars wrong weeks - including 12 who were retired for 10 days oregon less.

Of those convicted oregon suspected of committing caller offences, 20 were for non-sexual crimes of unit portion 17 were for crimes of dishonesty.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said that portion the aboriginal merchandise programme provided "much needed respite", the captive colonisation had "risen sharply".

The people capableness of the situation property is 8,007, but determination are presently 8,319 prisoners successful the system.

Only prisoners with 180 days oregon little to service from a condemnation of nether 4 years were considered for aboriginal release.

No-one convicted of intersexual oregon home maltreatment offences has been released early.

The Scottish authorities antecedently said the determination was successful effect to rising situation populations - up 13% since past year.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said that akin enactment was being taken by the UK authorities successful England and Wales.

The SPS said the strategy "prioritised the information and wellbeing" of those successful its care, victims and the its serves.

A spokesperson said: "We person been unfastened and transparent throughout, publishing the fig of individuals released astatine each stage, followed by a bid of breakdowns.

"The latest publication connected returns to custody continues this approach."

They added that it was ever designed to beryllium a impermanent measure.

The spokesperson said: "In caller months, our colonisation has risen sharply erstwhile more, and remains highly complex.

"This continues to person a important interaction connected our unit and the clip disposable to them to bash the important enactment successful supporting people, gathering relationships, turning lives around, reducing the hazard of reoffending, and creating a safer Scotland for all."