Long-term prisoners may be released after two-thirds of sentence

Long-term prisoners could be released after serving two-thirds of their sentence in a bid to ease pressure on Scotland's overcrowded jails.

The government plans would see the prisoners freed to spend the rest of their sentence under community supervision.

A scheme to release up to 550 inmates with less than six months left on their sentence by 18 July is already under way.

But announcing that move earlier this year, Justice Secretary Angela Constance said more was needed to impact the population over the long term.

Ms Constance said: "Supervision is a commonly used element of custodial sentences - as part of efforts to prepare individuals nearing their return to the community to settle and ultimately to not reoffend.

"Our proposals would bring forward the point at which long-term prisoners are released so individuals spend more time under licence conditions in the community before the end of their sentence.

"Individuals would continue to serve their sentence but do so in the community under strict supervision, which can improve reintegration back into society and reduce the risk of re-offending."

The proposals, if implemented, would not apply to those who are serving an extended sentence for violent or sexual offences.

Currently most people serving long-term sentences, unless previously recommended for parole at an earlier stage, are released under community supervision six months before the end of their sentence.

Those released under the new plan would be subject to licence conditions, supervision, and ultimately recall to custody.

A similar policy was in force until 2018.

As of 12 June, there was 8,294 people behind bars in Scotland. The Scottish government said the number of prisoners had increased by 400 since 18 March.

In May, there were 8,365 prisoners in Scotland, the highest number since 2012.

Scottish Prisons have a target operating capacity of 8,007.

The current early release scheme involves prisoners with 180 days or less to serve from a sentence of under four years.

Between 500 and 550 inmates will be freed in four phases. The first scheduled release was on 26 June, and this will continue weekly until 18 July.

Prisons On The Brink is available here on BBC iplayer.

Lucy Adams investigates the impact of overcrowding, drugs and suicides on inmates and staff, and asks whether our crumbling prison estate can cope much longer.

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson called the move "another broken promise" to victims.

They said: “Nicola Sturgeon promised to end automatic early release for all criminals, but never fulfilled that pledge.

“Now the SNP want to release dangerous criminals who have served just two-thirds of their sentence which if enacted would pose a serious risk to public safety."

Speaking on BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie said rehabilitation should take place in the community where possible.

"The reality is our prisons are overflowing, people are reoffending instead of us actually taking an approach that is rehabilitation based," she said.