Early release slammed as jail numbers hit new high

By GRAHAM GRANT, SCOTTISH HOME AFFAIRS EDITOR Published: 20:44, 20 May 2026 | Updated: 20:44, 20 May 2026 Scotland's prison population has climbed to an all-time high, despite the SNP’s mass early release of more than 600 criminals over the last six months. There were 8,602 inmates behind bars yesterday in a system which was designed to accommodate only 7,805, according to figures from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). The re-elected Scottish Government has admitted the population has reached critical levels. Since June 2024, more than 1,400 prisoners including violent thugs have been freed early. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘Despite the Nationalists risking public safety by freeing more than 1,400 inmates early, prisons are still bursting at the seams and overcrowding is at critical levels. ‘This crisis – and the abject response to it – is the direct result of the SNP’s failure to deliver the new prisons they promised in Glasgow and the Highlands, both of which are years behind schedule and massively over budget.’ The automatic release point for some short-term prisoners was changed last year from 50 per cent to 40 per cent – and this month it will be reduced to 30 per cent. Prisoners convicted of sexual offences and domestic abuse have been barred from early release. The rise in the number of long-term prisoners is being driven in part by an increase in convictions over serious organised crime and historic sexual offences. Nearly 2,000 prisoners are being held on remand, awaiting trial or deportation. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr An SPS spokesman said: ‘The size and complexity of our population is unsustainable and presents a significant risk to the safety of those living and working in our establishments. It will also impact on the wider justice system, resulting in an increased burden on courts, policing, social work and health partners.’ The Scottish Government said work was under way in response to the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission’s recommendations on strengthening ‘community-based’ alternatives to shorter prison sentences. Funding for community sentences has increased to £169million, new prisons in Glasgow and Inverness will add 464 places, and greater use is being made of home detention curfews – where prisoners are freed early wearing tags. A government spokesman said addressing prison population needs ‘bold, collaborative action’. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.