SNP Justice Secretary Unsure on Violent Offender Early Release Numbers

Okay, so Scotland let some prisoners out early. The Justice Secretary doesn’t know how many were violent. She said some short-term prisoners did commit violence. Only folks with short sentences qualify for this. They are releasing up to 390 prisoners total.

Scotland wants to ease prison overcrowding. Constance spoke about the types of crimes. These crimes include violence and dishonesty. She can’t say the exact number of violent offenders now. The exact release numbers arrive later.

About 300 people will be released in phases. Violent crimes are not a small part of short sentences. The goal is to cut the prison population. This helps prisons house dangerous criminals. It also helps with prisoner rehabilitation. Prison work links to community safety.

New laws let people out sooner. It affects sentences less than four years. They now release at 40%, not 50%. This law passed in November. The government thinks this will reduce prison numbers by 5%.

Releases will happen in three stages. The first stage runs Tuesday to Thursday. The next releases are March 4-6. The final batch get released March 18-20. People convicted of abuse or sex crimes aren’t released early.