Scotland parliament passes bill to reduce prison sentences News
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Scotland parliament passes bill to reduce prison sentences

The Scottish Parliament passed the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday to reduce short-term prisoners’ time served from 50 percent to 40 percent of their sentence. The legislation, introduced on November 18, 2024, aims to alleviate pressure on the prison system, with changes expected to take effect in February 2025.

The bill applies to prisoners serving sentences of less than four years, with exceptions for those convicted of domestic abuse or sexual offenses. According to the government, the change could result in the release of up to 390 prisoners in the initial rollout. In the beginning stages, the releases would be managed in three phases over six weeks to ensure a smooth transition.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance highlighted the urgency of addressing the overcrowding crisis, describing it as a threat to the safety of both staff and prisoners. She stated:

The measures in this Bill will bring about a sustained reduction in the prison population as well as relieve some of the acute pressure currently being experienced within our prison estate. We need the prison system to focus on those who pose the greatest risk to the public and provide a range of support to help reduce reoffending and integration back into the community.

Scotland’s prison population exceeded 8,300 inmates this year, one of the highest levels recorded. Despite a 40 percent drop in recorded crime since 2007, the average sentence length has risen by 32 percent over the past decade.

The legislation is part of a broader strategy to manage prison numbers. Earlier this year, emergency measures released 477 prisoners with fewer than 180 days left to serve, but those steps provided only temporary relief. Alongside early release policies, the government has increased funding for community-based alternatives to custody.

Scotland is not alone in confronting the challenges of rising prison populations. Similar measures are being introduced across the UK, where the new Labour government announced a plan earlier this year to reduce prison overcrowding by temporarily releasing certain prisoners under community supervision. International bodies like the United Nations have also urged governments to adopt more community-based sentences to address the issue sustainably.

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