1,000-plus in jail serving ‘ineffectual’ short-term sentences last Christmas
More than 1,000 prisoners were behind bars in Scotland serving short sentences last Christmas, prompting calls for fresh action to have these phased out.
MSPS this year voted for the presumption against short setneces to be extended from three months to a year – but ministers have been told they must more to ensure this is not a “hollow policy.”
Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats under Freedom of Information laws showed 1,017 people were locked up on short sentences of the 7,792 in Scottish jails.
Justice spokesman Liam Mcarthur has called on Holyrood to “relieve the pressure” on the prison service by enacting their presumption against sentences under a year.
Mr Mcarthur said: “Last year over 1,000 people were behind bars at Christmas because of a needless reliance on short-term sentences.
“This is despite all the evidence showing these stints are disruptive, ineffective and ultimately more damaging for the community.
“By contrast, robust community-based sentences have a much better track record of rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
“It’s why Scottish Liberal Democrats fought hard for the introduction of a stronger presumption against short sentences.
“The Scottish Government eventually agreed, but these figures show that ministers need to do more to ensure this is not just a hollow policy.”
In June, MSPS voted to extend the current presumption from three months to one year, to stem what the Scottish Government called a “revolving door”.
The presumption is not a regulation to be followed by the judiciary, but rather guidance that should be considered by courts when sentencing.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “The figures quoted are from 2018 and before Parliament backed the Scottish Government’s extension of the presumption against short sentences.
“While sentencing decisions in each case are for the independent judiciary, the presumption encourages courts to consider alternatives to custody.”