HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMCIPS) found that inmates are sharing cells not designed to be shared.

Interim HMCIPS Stephen Sandlam said in his report that the Scottish Prison Service cannot cope with the number of prisoners.

The report states: “Overcrowding caused more prisoners to have to share a cell, some of which are not suitable for sharing. The remand population remains stubbornly high and the SPS estate is not equipped to deal with this rising population.

“Action taken thus far to address this has proved inadequate, but HMCIPS welcomes the Prisoner (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament as an important step in reducing the current pressures in the prison system.”

Mr Sandlam also mentioned the prisoner complaints system and the cost-of-living crisis.

The report states: “As in the rest of the country, the costs of goods/ food for prisoners are rising without a matching increase in prisoner wages. This not only harms prisoners, but also increases the cost of imprisonment on their families, who often supplement their earnings.

“IPMS are also concerned that the SPS is not adequately funded to provide three healthy meals per day per prisoner.”

The report did find, however, that staff act with “compassion and humanity” and that prison activities“provided a real opportunity for prisoners to start a journey away from crime”.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “I welcome this HM Inspectorate of Prisons report, and that it observed good practice in prisons, with staff acting with compassion and humanity. The report also noted that prison activities that took place provided a real opportunity for prisoners to start a journey away from crime.”