The bill providing for the early release of prisoners was accepted

Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill The release point for offenders serving less than four years will be changed from 50 percent to 40 percent of their sentence. There will be no change in the point of release of prisoners serving sentences for domestic violence or sexual crimes.

The bill also gives ministers the power to change the point of release under the license conditions of prisoners sentenced to four years or more.

The change could be applied to prisoners currently serving short-term sentences from February 2025, resulting in between 260-390 prisoners being eligible for immediate release. The Scottish Prison Service will manage initial releases in three tranches over six weeks. The change will also apply to convicted prisoners from then on.

Justice Minister Angela Constance said: “We have recently experienced a significant increase in our prison population. This means that, without intervention, prisons will no longer be safe places for dedicated staff to carry out important rehabilitation work to reduce reoffending. That is why this bill is supported by both the Prison Officers Association and the Prison Governors Association.

“The measures in this bill will lead to a sustained reduction in the prison population and will also relieve some of the acute pressure currently experienced in our prisons. It will allow the prison system to focus on those who pose the greatest risk to society and offer a range of supports to help reduce reoffending and reintegration into society.” we need

“I recognize that victims and their families will have concerns and we will continue to work closely with victim support organizations throughout the process.”

Rob Hay, chairman of the Scottish Association of Police Superintendents, warned the plans would “put pressure” on the police.

He said: “We have serious concerns about the early release of prisoners into communities in Scotland. The public is being put at risk. Every crime committed and every victim represents an avoidable consequence of this misguided policy of the Scottish government.

“Releasing prisoners early, knowing that more crimes may occur, already increases the pressure on the police force to the point of breach.”