Prisons

Scotland’s overcrowded prisons are a “disaster waiting to happen” as prison populations are set to rise again, Scottish Labour has said. Latest prison population projections state that “it is likely that the overall prison population will increase between 1st November 2024 an

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is seeking views from the public on proposals to designate Scotland’s largest and best-known prison as a Category A listed building. Barlinnie, in the northeast of Glasgow, is the most complete surviving example of a 19th century prison in Scotland and is ex

The prison population increased by six per cent in 2023-24 to 7,860 on the average day. The increase in the prison population was primarily driven by an increase in the sentenced population (+8 per cent since 2022-23).

Sara Snell has been appointed as the new HM chief inspector of prisons for Scotland. She has extensive experience in the UK justice system having worked in HM Prison Service in England and Wales for 25 years.

The Scottish Prison Service's waiting list for sexual offending rehabilitation programmes would take 14 years to clear, according to new figures. The SPS was urged by Emma Jardine, policy and public affairs manager at Howard League Scotland, to increase the transparency over access to such schemes.

Legislation to help reduce the high prison population has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill will change the release point for offenders serving sentences of less than four years from 50 per cent of their sentence to 40 per cent. There will be no ch

There are "serious concerns" about overcrowding in Scottish prisons after a new report found that the prison population remains too high. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMCIPS) found that inmates are sharing cells not designed to be shared.

Legislation to allow for the early release of prisoners has been published. The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill proposes that most prisoners serving sentences of less than four years would be released after serving 40 per cent of their sentence, rather than 50 per cent as at present. This

A fatal accident inquiry is to take place into the death of a man who was found dead in his cell in HMP Barlinnie. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a first notice to begin the court process for the FAI into the death of 58-year-old Michael Charlton, who was foun

A new programme, being piloted in three prisons in England and Wales, that aims to reduce re-offending rates and transform the lives of prisoners has seen positive early results. The Counting on Confidence Programme, run by the self-development organisation Meee, is designed to embed a belief in the

Crown opposition to bail is being relaxed because of the prison crisis in Scotland, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC has told Holyrood. She said: "Prosecutors will always act in the public interest and do their utmost to keep people safe from the harm caused by crime.

Emergency legislation will be introduced to Parliament to contribute to the "sustainable long-term management" of Scotland’s prison population, Justice Secretary Angela Constance has told MSPs. The bill, to be introduced in November, will propose a change to the release point for short-term pr

The Council of Europe has issued recommendations to its 46 member states aimed at ensuring that the use of AI and related digital technologies by prison and probation services respects the human rights and dignity of detainees, probationers, as well as staff. In a recommendation adopted today, the C

More than 50 people went back to prison after being released early, new figures show. A report from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) shows that 57 of the 477 people released in the summer as part of the early release scheme were sent back.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats justice have marked 1,000 days since Scotland's prison suicide strategy expired by revealing that in the last three years there have been more than 2,300 self-harm incidents in Scottish prisons. A freedom of information request submitted by the party has revealed 2,341