Jail amnesty pilot scheme fears

SCOTTISH prisoners facing outstanding charges may be given a jail amnesty, if a Glasgow pilot scheme is rolled out.

The scheme aims to target rapid returns to custody for serving prisoners by “rolling up” outstanding warrants and complaints.

These are said to include shoplifting, fraud, assault and weapons offences.

David Hines, of the National Victims’ Association said: “This sounds like a cost-cutting exercise and I’ve no doubt prisoners will be laughing up their sleeves.”

The partnership, involving justice groups, Police Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service, and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, hopes to reduce gate arrests, save time and resources and improve motivation for prison-based support and interventions.

A total of 43 prisoners took part in the pilot and 11 had their offences marked “no further action”, with three considered “too serious to discontinue” and made to plead in court.

A Crown Office spokesman said: “We note the preliminary results of the Glasgow pilot with interest.”