Numbers of inmates will rise under new proposals

SCRAPPING automatic early release for offenders serving more than four years will increase the population of Scots jails by more than 400 over the next decade, a prison chief has warned.

Eric Murch, director of operations at the Scottish Prison Service, also underlined that the plans, which involve ending the provision whereby inmates not freed on parole are released automatically two-thirds of the way through their sentence, will lead to extra burdens on the service.

He outlined his concerns in a submission to Holyrood’s justice committee which is currently examining the plans.

“The main operational impact of ending automatic early release for all categories of prisoner sentenced to four years or more will be the impact on prison numbers,” he said.

“It has been estimated by Scottish G over n ment colleagues that the long-term impact of this proposal will be a requirement for SPS to provide an additional 410 places.”

He added that dealing with the additional number of men and women in custody would require more resources from the public purse.

“SPS will have the capacity to cope with the relatively limited impact in the early years. However, SPS will require the Scottish Government to ensure that the overall pressures on the prison estate arising from these reforms, and other legislative reforms, are met through future justice spending review settlements.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The safety of the public is an absolute priority of this government which is why we will be ending automatic early release for all long-term prisoners in Scotland, subject to approval by Parliament.