Dozens of criminals freed early from Scottish prisons to tackle overcrowding returned to jail after 'reoffending'
A total of 477 inmates were let out early in Scotland in four tranches over the summer to tackle overcrowding.
Wednesday 2 October 2024 17:23, UK
Dozens of criminals who were freed early from Scottish prisons under an emergency release system have allegedly reoffended and been returned to jail, it has emerged.
A total of 477 inmates were let out early in Scotland in four tranches over the summer to tackle overcrowding, with 57 returning to prison up to 18 September after reportedly committing further crimes.
The recorded index offence groupings for which people returned to custody included:
• Non-sexual crimes of violence: 20
• Crimes of dishonesty: 17
• Damage and reckless behaviour: Less than five
• Crimes against society: Eight
• Antisocial offences: Eight
• Miscellaneous offences: Less than five
• Other - not classified: Less than five
The tally of 57 people includes inmates who have been charged and reconvicted, others who are being held for alleged offences, and those who have already been released from custody after being remanded for an alleged offence.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said those who returned to custody remained in the community for between two and 61 days, with an average time in the community of 22 days.
A SPS spokesperson said: "We have been open and transparent throughout, publishing the number of individuals released at each stage, followed by a series of breakdowns.
"The latest publication on returns to custody continues this approach."
Only inmates serving short sentences of under four years who had 180 days or less left to serve were considered for release.
Prisoners serving life sentences, or those currently behind bars for sexual, domestic abuse or terror-based offences, were automatically excluded from the scheme.
Prison governors also had the power to veto the release of any inmate they deemed an "immediate risk" to a specific individual or group.
Read more:
Prisoners on early release 'reoffending to escape homelessness'
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The decision was made amid a spike in prison population numbers, which Justice Secretary Angela Constance said was putting the estate at "critical risk".
Last month, First Minister John Swinney said the early release of prisoners had "not solved the situation" in regards to overcrowding.
Speaking before the Holyrood Conveners Group at the Scottish parliament, he said: "We still face a serious situation and I fully expect the justice secretary to have to come back to parliament to brief parliament about the current situation."
馃憠 馃憟
A separate report published by the Scottish government puts the projected prison population at between 7,750 and 9,250 at the beginning of next year.
Prisons have been struggling under the weight of high populations in recent years, with 8,274 people in custody as of 27 September.
The Scottish government said: "Whilst no level of reoffending is acceptable and we do not want any more victims of crime, the return to custody rate for those released under the scheme was substantially lower than the average reconviction rate of those serving four years or less."
Speaking to Sky News in June, Victim Support Scotland warned the system would lead to reoffending.
Kate Wallace, the charity's chief executive, commended the SPS for its transparency over the latest figures, but added: "However, sadly our fears around the number of prisoners released and subsequently returned to custody have been realised.
"With 57 people being sent back to prison before their original release date, we fear that many more new victims have been created, with the worrying knowledge that most of those crimes are categorised as violent offences.
"Whilst the full extent of reoffending of early release prisoners is not yet known, these early figures are a cause for significant concern given that most of these prisoners have been living in the community for just a matter of weeks."
Ms Wallace said the figures emphasise the need for "adequate preparation, rehabilitation, and availability of services on release".
She added: "With prison population figures only predicted to keep rising and Scottish government ministers repeatedly saying these were only temporary measures, we would urge them to voice a swift response to what long-term measures are planned to counteract this."
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
The SPS said while the emergency early release (EER) programme "provided much needed respite" to its establishments, staff, and those in its care, it is only considered a "temporary measure".
The SPS added: "In recent months, our population has risen sharply once more, and remains extremely complex.
"This continues to have a significant impact on our staff and the time available to them to do the important work in supporting people, building relationships, turning lives around, reducing the risk of reoffending, and creating a safer Scotland for all."