Prison population in Scotland could top 9,000 by next year – forecast
The Government and prison service have been struggling under the weight of an ‘unsustainable’ prison population.
Scotland’s prison population could increase to more than 9,000 by next year, according to Government projections.
Figures released by the Scottish Government on Thursday suggest that the population is likely to rise from the 8,466 people housed on July 1.
Predictions claim the figure could be between 8,100 and 9,150 by March next year.
The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has struggled with the rising prison population in recent years, with a number of early release schemes put in place, along with a shift in policy to allow those sentenced to less than four years in prison being allowed out after 30% of their sentence as opposed to 40%.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: “The prison population in Scotland, like many comparable countries, has increased and has reached unsustainable levels which must be addressed.
“We are taking a number of actions to tackle this, including building two new prisons, maximising capacity within the prison estate, increasing investment in community justice, and making greater use of Home Detention Curfew.
“Further action is necessary to ensure prisons can function safely and effectively.
“That is why we are consulting on proposed reforms to ease the high prison population, support rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and improve public safety, based on the recommendations of the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission which recognised that Scotland must rethink its approach to community sentencing and imprisonment.”
A spokeswoman for the SPS said: “As we have made clear, the size and complexity of the prison population is unsustainable.
“It now poses a significant risk to the safety of those living and working in our establishments and limits our ability to deliver effective rehabilitation.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s consultation and the wider discussion it has prompted about what is needed to create a safe and sustainable prison population.
“This is essential to ensure we can fully support those in our care, reduce the risk of reoffending, and help build the safer communities we all want to see.”