Over fifty criminals released early under SNP Government scheme have offended again

The Government backed an emergency release scheme to help address a crisis in overcrowding in prisons.

Over fifty criminals freed early under the SNP Government’s emergency release scheme have offended again. The inmates were returned to jail after committing offences including violence and crimes of dishonesty.

A total of 477 prisoners were released early over the summer to tackle a crisis in overcrowding. Individuals serving short sentences of less than four years who had 180 days or less left to serve qualified for release.

Lifers or those serving time for sexual, domestic abuse or terror-based offences were automatically excluded.

According to new figures reported by Sky News, 57 of the inmates are back in prison after reoffending.

Twenty cases involved non-sexual crimes of violence and seventeen related to dishonesty.

Damage and reckless behaviour accounted for fewer than five cases while there were eight crimes against society and the same number of antisocial offences.

A Scottish Prison Service (SPS) spokesperson said: "We have been open and transparent throughout, publishing the number of individuals released at each stage, followed by a series of breakdowns.

"The latest publication on returns to custody continues this approach."

First Minister John Swinney said recently the early release of prisoners had not solved overcrowding.

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He told MSPs: "We still face a serious situation and I fully expect the justice secretary to have to come back to parliament to brief parliament about the current situation.

"Because although the release of 477 prisoners during June and July as part of the early release scheme has helped, it has not solved the situation.

"I suspect that will come back to parliament in due course and we are considering the options that are available there."

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