Scotland's prison population hits record high

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Scotland has seen a surge in its prison population, reaching a record high. The number of individuals in custody has been steadily rising and recently peaked at 8,430, surpassing the previous record set in 2012. This increase has raised significant concerns about the safety of inmates within the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

Despite the release of over 300 inmates in February and March to alleviate overcrowding, the prison population continued to climb. Additionally, more than 120 individuals serving custodial sentences are now being managed in the community through home detention curfews. With Scotland’s prisons designed to accommodate 7,805 inmates, the current population exceeds that capacity by over 600 people.

One of the primary factors contributing to this surge is the rise in individuals serving long-term sentences of four years or more, which has increased by more than 600 in the past two years. In contrast, the short-term population has seen a slight decrease. The enactment of the Prisoners (Early Release) Scotland Act 2025 aimed to address overcrowding by changing the release point for eligible short-term prisoners. However, despite this measure, the prison population has continued to climb.

Teresa Medhurst, chief executive of the SPS, emphasized the need for immediate action to address the overcrowding crisis. She commended the professionalism of staff in managing the complex situation but highlighted the challenges posed by overcrowding in facilitating rehabilitation and reducing reoffending rates. Opposition parties have criticized the Scottish government’s handling of the situation, with calls for increased prison capacity and concerns about the impact of early prisoner releases on public safety. Scottish Labour’s Pauline McNeill MSP described the overcrowding as “intolerable” for prison officers and staff, pointing to the failure of the SNP to address the root causes of the crisis

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