Vulnerable women will benefit from reforms which will encourage judges to consider community sentences above “ineffective” short prison sentences of 12 months or less, according to the Scottish government.

Around 90 per cent of women sent to prison are given a custodial sentence of a year or less and Scotland has one of the highest female prison populations in Northern Europe.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said that the controversial extension of the presumption against short prison sentences would mean more women would receive a community-based sentence.

Mr Yousaf, who will give evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee on Tuesday, said: “By extending the presumption to 12 months or less we are asking judges to give serious consideration to community alternatives that prioritise rehabilitation.

“Many of the women currently serving prison sentences have complex needs that contribute to frequent offending. We should be helping them tackle those problems in the community so they can escape prison’s revolving door, rather than taking away what stability they have in their home and family.

“More than two thirds of female prisoners are mothers and we must not underestimate the trauma to their children of seeing their parent go to jail. From stressful home and school moves, to poor academic performance and mental health risks, parental imprisonment can trigger lifelong issues. It may even make children more likely to be drawn into the criminal justice system as adults.

“With such a high proportion of women prisoners serving custodial sentences of 12 months or less, extending the presumption could have a significant impact on women in the justice system. We have an opportunity to change how we tackle the causes of offending behaviour and the positive ripple effect to our communities could be huge.”