Overview

• Justice secretary Angela Constance said about 440 inmates will be freed in November and December under an expanded programme that will roll out in seven phases through April, with total releases expected to exceed 1,000.
• Eligibility covers those serving less than four years who are within 180 days of their scheduled release date, excluding people convicted of sexual offences or domestic abuse.
• Governors will have a veto to block releases where an immediate risk to identified individuals or groups is judged, supported by new prison rule changes laid via secondary legislation.
• Scotland’s prison population stands at 8,363, close to a record high, with ten prisons at red risk status and many operating at or above capacity, which ministers say threatens safe operations.
• Opposition parties, prison officers and victims’ advocates warn the measure is not a lasting solution, citing reoffending after earlier releases and urging longer-term capacity increases, including progress on the £1bn Barlinnie replacement that adds only 357 spaces.