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The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Over 150 violent criminals freed early in prison overcrowding crisis
The Scottish Prison Service say overcrowding is having "an increasingly destabilising effect" on the system and that more must be done across the justice system to combat the problem. Its warning comes as it released detailed data on the nature of the prisoners who were freed under the Scottish Government's early release measures in February and March this year. The figures revealed that almost half of the total 312 prisoners freed under the scheme a total of 152 were serving sentences after being convicted of non-sexual violent crimes. READ MORE: Scotland facing 'critical risk' from overcrowding in prisons Riot fears amid record prisoner numbers and overcrowding Governors want early release scheme for serious offenders I spent the day inside HMP Low Moss and here's what I found The second most common offence committed by those released was 'crimes against society', which includes drug-related crimes. A total of 69 prisoners who had been convicted of this category of crime were released, making up 22% of the total released. The data also showed that 83 prisoners were released into the Glasgow area with 65 freed from the city's HMP Barlinnie, while 49 offenders were freed from Polmont and 37 from Low Moss. A Scottish Prison Service spokesman told The Herald that the figures were released in the interests of transparency but warned of significant and continuing pressures on prisons from overcrowding. 'Working with the Scottish Government, and our partners, we released people through these tranches in a way which prioritised the safety and wellbeing of those in our care, victims, and the communities we serve," he said. READ MORE: Demand for more homes after tax rise on second properties proposal defeat SNP minister rejects claim child poverty targets will be 'substantially missed' North Sea oil and gas company fined after workers plunged into water-filled shaft Swinney programme failed to mention independence – so why all the talk now? 'We have been open and transparent throughout, publishing the number of individuals released at each stage, and this publication continues that approach. 'While these releases have provided some respite, our staff continue to manage an extremely high and complex population, with eight prisons now at red risk status, and the number of people in custody set to rise even further." He added: 'This has an increasingly destabilising effect on our establishments, with staff unable to do the critical work of building relationships and supporting rehabilitation, and prisoners frustrated by the impact on their daily lives and the opportunities available to them. 'We need to see a reduction in our population, so we fully support people in our care, reduce their risk of reoffending, and help build the safer communities we all want to see.' Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, acknowledged that work had been done to attempt to reduce prison populations, but that the number of prisoners remained "basically unchanged" from this time last year. "There has been no tangible change for victims of crime. Only 2% of victims were notified of the prisoner in their case's release last year through the Victim Notification Scheme, and the most recent figures for this year are equally low," she said. "The recent Scottish Crime and Justice Survey for 2023/24 shows decreasing confidence in the criminal justice system - this has been a repeated trend for the last five years. Measures like these early release schemes contribute to this erosion of trust. "Just last week, changes were also made to Home Detention Curfew legislation - prisoners serving less than four years are now eligible for HDC after serving 15% of their sentence instead of 25%, meaning they will spend less time in prison and longer in the community. "This is concerning, especially given the current lack of capacity for prisoner rehabilitation, as highlighted by the Scottish Prison Service." She added: "While we're pleased that action is finally being taken to improve the Victim Notification Scheme, this lags behind the pace of changes to prisoner release. "Our concern as ever is the safety and wellbeing of people impacted by crime - if victims aren't informed, they can't plan for their safety and even risk meeting perpetrators unexpectantly in their community. "We fear further Emergency Early Release programmes alongside Prisoner Early Release and revised Home Detention Curfew regulations, begging the question of any meaningful prison sentence or rehabilitation for offenders." The revelations come weeks after The Herald published a major week long series on overcrowding in Scotland's prisons. Our work was prompted by the emergency early release of hundreds of short term prisoners (those serving up to four years) last summer and by the legislation last autumn changing the automatic release point from 50% to 40% of their sentence which led to the 312 prisoners being freed in February and March. Some short term prisoners were barred from these scheme including those convicted of domestic violence or sexual offences. The measures were brought in following warnings about overcrowding by governors and inspectors. However, speaking to The Herald in April, the Prison Governors Association for Scotland chair Natalie Beal warned the early release scheme for short term prisoners would not be sufficient to tackle overcrowding and prisons were at risk of being 'clogged up' by long-term prisoners. She urged ministers to return to a scheme scrapped almost a decade ago by Alex Salmond's SNP government which had allowed all long-term prisoners to be released two thirds through their sentence (meaning they served at least one third of their sentence in the community.) But this was changed by the Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Act 2015, brought in by the then justice secretary Michael Matheson meaning long term prisoners were released six months before the end of their sentence on non-parole licence. Before the change to the law a long-term prisoner could apply for parole half way through his or her sentence. If the prisoner was not successful, he or she would be released two thirds through the sentence on non parole licence (meaning the prisoner could be recalled if licence conditions were breached). However since 2016, while a long term prisoner can still apply for parole half way through his or her sentence, if unsuccessful he or she cannot be released two thirds through the sentence and must wait six months before the sentence ends to be released on licence. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'As is known the prison population has become more complex and risen significantly recently. We are taking a range of actions to manage the prison population including through increased investment in the Scottish Prison Service resource budget by 10% to £481.5 million in 2025/26. "In addition we changed the point of release for most short-term prisoners – those serving sentences of less than four years - from 50% to 40%. Most of those released were serving sentences of less than two years, therefore, their release was less than three months ahead of their original date. The Scottish Government considers that this is a proportionate change which is bringing about a sustained reduction in the prison population and relieving some of the acute pressure on the prison estate.'
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Data shows prison officer assaults are a daily occurrence
Figures have revealed that one prison officer almost every day was assaulted by an inmate while on duty in Scotland's increasingly violent jails. Scottish Prison Service (SPS) data shows 350 officers were attacked during 2024/25 – the highest number in five years – with critics claiming violence behind bars is spiralling out of control. Data supplied under Freedom of Information shows 1,543 officers were victims of assault between 2020/21 and 2024/25. There were 313 assaults in 2023/24, 261 in 2022/23, with 294 and 325 incidents in 2020/21 and 2021/22 respectively. According to the Prison Officers' Association, jails are the 'most hostile and violent workplace of anywhere or any other occupation in the world'. They warn overcrowding, drug abuse, bullying and organised crime gang activities inside Scotland's crisis-hit prison system are placing overworked staff under intolerable pressure. Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said the 'damning' figures laid bare the 'brutal reality facing prison officers'. He said: 'Violence has spiralled out of control as the Nationalists have relentlessly slashed budgets, leaving hardworking staff at the mercy of dangerous inmates. 'Resources should be clearly targeted so that prison officers get the extra support they desperately need or else ministers run the risk of experienced staff quitting the SPS. 'Instead of continually betraying those working in our justice system, the SNP must start prioritising their safety.' Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said the 'appalling figures' show violence is on the rise in Scotland's prisons and staff are being put in danger. She said: 'Under the SNP, Scotland's prisons are dangerously overcrowded and it is causing chaos. 'It's imperative that the Scottish Government has a plan in place to give prison officers the resources they need to keep staff safe in a job that carries such risks. 'If we can learn anything from other jurisdictions such as England and Wales we should and with some urgency. 'The SNP must wake up to this growing crisis and work with the Scottish Prison Service to keep staff and prisons safe.' Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP insisted 'no one should go to work expecting to be assaulted'. He said: 'Huge numbers of people, many of whom have complex problems, are being sent to a place proven to worsen their likelihood of reoffending. 'In turn, overworked prison staff are finding themselves with less time to work with individuals to help improve their prospects and are increasingly encountering unsafe situations. 'Prisons can be a pressure cooker but the government must ensure that high safety standards are maintained across the entire prison sector. 'It's time for the Justice Secretary to recognise that a step change is necessary. It's crucial we strike a balance between punishing, rehabilitating and supporting — that is how we will reduce reoffending and make communities safer.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said attacks on prisoners and prison staff are 'completely unacceptable' and all incidents were reported to Police Scotland. They added: 'To continue to provide a safe and secure prison estate, we have increased investment in the Scottish Prison Service resource budget by 10% to £481.5million in 2025/26.' An SPS spokesperson said: 'We take a zero-tolerance approach to violence. 'We take consistent and robust action against those in our care who perpetrate violence and offer support to those affected by it, including our staff.' Photo by Donald Tong on Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scores of violent offenders freed in overcrowding crisis
The Scottish Prison Service say overcrowding is having "an increasingly destabilising effect" on the system and that more must be done across the justice system to combat the problem. Its warning comes as it released detailed data on the nature of the prisoners who were freed under the Scottish Government's early release measures in February and March this year. The figures revealed that almost half of the total 312 prisoners freed under the scheme a total of 152 were serving sentences after being convicted of non-sexual violent crimes. READ MORE: Scotland facing 'critical risk' from overcrowding in prisons Riot fears amid record prisoner numbers and overcrowding Governors want early release scheme for serious offenders I spent the day inside HMP Low Moss and here's what I found The second most common offence committed by those released was 'crimes against society', which includes drug-related crimes. A total of 69 prisoners who had been convicted of this category of crime were released, making up 22% of the total released. The data also showed that 83 prisoners were released into the Glasgow area with 65 freed from the city's HMP Barlinnie, while 49 offenders were freed from Polmont and 37 from Low Moss. A Scottish Prison Service spokesman told The Herald that the figures were released in the interests of transparency but warned of significant and continuing pressures on prisons from overcrowding. 'Working with the Scottish Government, and our partners, we released people through these tranches in a way which prioritised the safety and wellbeing of those in our care, victims, and the communities we serve," he said. READ MORE: Demand for more homes after tax rise on second properties proposal defeat SNP minister rejects claim child poverty targets will be 'substantially missed' North Sea oil and gas company fined after workers plunged into water-filled shaft Swinney programme failed to mention independence – so why all the talk now? 'We have been open and transparent throughout, publishing the number of individuals released at each stage, and this publication continues that approach. 'While these releases have provided some respite, our staff continue to manage an extremely high and complex population, with eight prisons now at red risk status, and the number of people in custody set to rise even further." He added: 'This has an increasingly destabilising effect on our establishments, with staff unable to do the critical work of building relationships and supporting rehabilitation, and prisoners frustrated by the impact on their daily lives and the opportunities available to them. 'We need to see a reduction in our population, so we fully support people in our care, reduce their risk of reoffending, and help build the safer communities we all want to see.' Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, acknowledged that work had been done to attempt to reduce prison populations, but that the number of prisoners remained "basically unchanged" from this time last year. "There has been no tangible change for victims of crime. Only 2% of victims were notified of the prisoner in their case's release last year through the Victim Notification Scheme, and the most recent figures for this year are equally low," she said. "The recent Scottish Crime and Justice Survey for 2023/24 shows decreasing confidence in the criminal justice system - this has been a repeated trend for the last five years. Measures like these early release schemes contribute to this erosion of trust. "Just last week, changes were also made to Home Detention Curfew legislation - prisoners serving less than four years are now eligible for HDC after serving 15% of their sentence instead of 25%, meaning they will spend less time in prison and longer in the community. "This is concerning, especially given the current lack of capacity for prisoner rehabilitation, as highlighted by the Scottish Prison Service." She added: "While we're pleased that action is finally being taken to improve the Victim Notification Scheme, this lags behind the pace of changes to prisoner release. "Our concern as ever is the safety and wellbeing of people impacted by crime - if victims aren't informed, they can't plan for their safety and even risk meeting perpetrators unexpectantly in their community. "We fear further Emergency Early Release programmes alongside Prisoner Early Release and revised Home Detention Curfew regulations, begging the question of any meaningful prison sentence or rehabilitation for offenders." The revelations come weeks after The Herald published a major week long series on overcrowding in Scotland's prisons. Our work was prompted by the emergency early release of hundreds of short term prisoners (those serving up to four years) last summer and by the legislation last autumn changing the automatic release point from 50% to 40% of their sentence which led to the 312 prisoners being freed in February and March. Some short term prisoners were barred from these scheme including those convicted of domestic violence or sexual offences. The measures were brought in following warnings about overcrowding by governors and inspectors. However, speaking to The Herald in April, the Prison Governors Association for Scotland chair Natalie Beal warned the early release scheme for short term prisoners would not be sufficient to tackle overcrowding and prisons were at risk of being 'clogged up' by long-term prisoners. She urged ministers to return to a scheme scrapped almost a decade ago by Alex Salmond's SNP government which had allowed all long-term prisoners to be released two thirds through their sentence (meaning they served at least one third of their sentence in the community.) But this was changed by the Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Act 2015, brought in by the then justice secretary Michael Matheson meaning long term prisoners were released six months before the end of their sentence on non-parole licence. Before the change to the law a long-term prisoner could apply for parole half way through his or her sentence. If the prisoner was not successful, he or she would be released two thirds through the sentence on non parole licence (meaning the prisoner could be recalled if licence conditions were breached). However since 2016, while a long term prisoner can still apply for parole half way through his or her sentence, if unsuccessful he or she cannot be released two thirds through the sentence and must wait six months before the sentence ends to be released on licence. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'As is known the prison population has become more complex and risen significantly recently. We are taking a range of actions to manage the prison population including through increased investment in the Scottish Prison Service resource budget by 10% to £481.5 million in 2025/26. "In addition we changed the point of release for most short-term prisoners – those serving sentences of less than four years - from 50% to 40%. Most of those released were serving sentences of less than two years, therefore, their release was less than three months ahead of their original date. The Scottish Government considers that this is a proportionate change which is bringing about a sustained reduction in the prison population and relieving some of the acute pressure on the prison estate.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
More than 150 violent offenders released early in Scotland
Almost half of the prisoners released during the latest attempt to ease overcrowding in Scotland's jails were serving sentences for violent crimes, new figures Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has revealed that 312 inmates who had completed 40% of their sentence were allowed out of jail to free up space in February and those released, 152 had committed non-sexual crimes of violence. The SPS said the move to release prisoners early had provided some respite but, with a rising population, further reductions were needed. Following a new emergency law introduced in February inmates sentenced to less than four years can be freed after serving 40% of their term, rather than 50% when the scheme was first brought in last year. Prisoners serving sentences for domestic abuse or sexual offences are prison service had estimated up to 390 could be freed straight SPS data shows a total of 312 inmates were in fact released, over three phases, between 18 February and 20 included 140 between 18 and 20 March. A breakdown of the data shows 92% of those released were men and the majority were serving sentences between one and two years. A total of 152 of the people released had committed non-sexual crimes of violence.A further 69 had committed "crimes against society" and 52 were in jail for crimes of dishonesty. Data on how many of those who were released early in this tranche and then ended up back in custody will be released later this year. A SPS spokesperson said: "We released people through these tranches in a way which prioritised the safety and wellbeing of those in our care, victims, and the communities we serve."While these releases have provided some respite, our staff continue to manage an extremely high and complex population, with eight prisons now at red risk status, and the number of people in custody set to rise even further."This has an increasingly destabilising effect on our establishments, with staff unable to do the critical work of building relationships and supporting rehabilitation, and prisoners frustrated by the impact on their daily lives and the opportunities available to them."Scotland's largest prison, HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, released the highest number of prisoners (65) under the latest early release scheme, SPS data shows. Why are prisoners being released early? In February last year, a BBC Scotland documentary revealed how the SPS had concluded its jails were too full and were reaching a "tipping point" where emergency powers could be needed to release inmates summer 477 prisoners were released but 61 of them ended up back in custody before their original planned release two months, according to SPS data, the overall prison population had again risen above the level at which the releases than 1,700 prisoners were also released early in England and Wales last autumn as part of a similar attempt by the UK government to ease the end of last week, there were 8,136 inmates in Scotland's prisons – above the total design operating capacity of 7, the 17 prisons in Scotland, a total of eight are at red risk status, which means the SPS believes they are struggling to cope with the demands placed upon them.
Glasgow Times
13-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Low Moss prisoners 'cycled across Britain' - here's why
More than 60 Low Moss inmates jumped on exercise bikes to promote the importance of well-being for Men's Mental Health Awareness Week - and the Glasgow Times had exclusive access. Participants took turns on 15 bikes, pedalling for one hour and stopping every four minutes to do 11 pushups. (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) READ NEXT: 'Housed like battery hens': Jail staff's rare insight into dangers of overcrowding When added up, they will have cycled 874 miles, which would have taken them the length of Great Britain, from the northernmost point all the way to the southern tip. Together, they will have also completed 10,000 pushups. One volunteer said: "Being behind a locked door is difficult, you have a lot of time to think. "Your mental health can deteriorate rapidly here. It's good to get to the gym, it's a good environment. "I can always tell when we don't get to the gym, you can see it in the guys." As a gym pass man, he participated in all three sessions of the day. He added: "Mental health is very important. "I would not be the same guy without the gym, my dad got me into it. "I was a shell of a man before I came here, I cannot speak highly enough of this place and what they did for me." (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) Calum Kincaid (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) Scott Isaksen, physical training instructor, has been working for the Scottish Prison Service for 15 years. He led the exercise sessions, completed with music and instructions. He explained: "It was to create a common goal. We had 15 people at a time, doing 17 miles each, for four hours. "And to make it a little harder, I added the pushups. "We found over the years that when we did a sport day, it would work really well and they enjoyed it. "We build a good relationship with them. Fitness and mental health are very important." (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) Helen (Image: Gordon terris_Herald&TImes) READ NEXT: 'They treat us like human beings': Prisoners praise recovery cafe The Bishopbriggs jail has a gym, which inmates are encouraged to use. Some of them even take classes, such as spinning. Calum Kincaid, deputy governor, said sport supports the men's rehabilitation and helps them establish a routine. He continued: "We know this supports mental and physical health. "It's heavily important to the running of this prison and the health of those who live here. "It's really good that the NHS is supporting it too." The health board provided leaflets and snacks to the prisoners, along with sign-up sheets to get a general check-up by a doctor. Helen, who set up the information corner, said: "Men need to look after themselves. "They need to know how to manage conditions they have and keep themselves healthy. "They may be in prison but they can still care about their health and well-being. "It's good for them to know that."
