Scotland launches early release of up to 390 prisoners

The Scottish Government has begun the early release of up to 390 prisoners as part of an initiative to alleviate overcrowding in its prisons. Under the new Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Act, inmates serving less than four years will be eligible for release after serving 40% of their sentence instead of the previous 50%. This change is expected to yield a 5% reduction in the prison population, which currently exceeds its operational capacity. Releases will occur in three phases, with the first starting this week, and offenders convicted of domestic abuse or sexual offences will not be eligible for early release. Justice Secretary Angela Constance emphasized the need for a sustainable reduction in the prison population to ensure safety and effective rehabilitation. Concerns have been raised by victim advocacy groups regarding the impact of these releases on crime victims, prompting calls for better notification systems.