Yousaf pledges tight controls for

● Labour welcomes government plans but demands that anyone released early from jail must be tested for Covid-19

The Scottish Government is set to start the process of releasing up to 450 prisoners from jail over the next 28 days in an attempt to tackle to Covid-19 crisis in the justice system.

Third-sector organisations including community justice groups and local authorities have also begun their preparations for the release of prisoners as justice secretary Humza Yousaf announced a ‘triplelock’ set of restrictions.

The restrictions, which were laid before the Scottish Parliament yesterday, included a “veto” over the release of individual prisoners for prison governors.

Scottish Labour called for prisoners to be tested for Covid-19 prior to release while the Scottish Conservatives said the scheme must run for no longer than necessary.

Recent or current domestic abuse offenders, those convicted of sexual or other serious crimes such as terrorism, and those behind bars for Covid-19 related offences will be excluded from the scheme.

However, up to 450 prisoners will be considered for early release, provided they have fewer than 90 days left of their sentence to serve from 4 May and have been sentenced to a maximum of 18 months in jail.

Justice secretary

Other restrictions include a veto for prison governors to use if they believe the release of a prisoner could present an immediate danger to a named individual.

Those with non-harassment orders are also excluded from the scheme and the release of prisoners will be staggered over the next four weeks.

The Victim Notification Scheme, where victims are told about an offender’s release, has been extended to cover this scheme.

The Scottish Government will also work with councils and third-sector organisations to help ensure a smooth transition for released prisoners.

The move, which comes as 37 people in custody across 11 of Scotland’s jails isolate with coronavirus symptoms, are aimed at reducing the possibility of a dangerous outbreak by allowing for singlecell occupancy.

The Scottish Prison Service hope that single-cell occupancy will help contain the virus and make prisons safer for inmates, prison officers and visiting NHS staff.

Mr Yousaf said: “By releasing a number of short-term prisoners a few weeks, and at most 90 days, ahead of their due release date, we will ensure there is capacity to safely manage the still large number of people in custody.

“Public protection is paramount and there will be a ‘triple lock’ set of restrictions. Even with the protections I have outlined, this is not a decision I have taken lightly. I want to assure victims of crime that this does not in any way diminish their experience.

“I and my officials are engaging closely with victims organisations to ensure we continue to meet their needs as best we can in these challenging times. We continue to invest in and support their work, as well as that of police as they too support victims of crime and keep communities safe”

Scottish Labour’s justice spokesperson, James Kelly, said: “Overcrowding in Scotland’s prisons is a serious health concern for both staff and prisoners, and there is already a high level of absences from prison workers.

“Concern that overcrowded conditions could exacerbate the spread of Covid-19 in prisons is valid, and steps to prevent that, including the safe early release of short-term prisoners, should be taken.

“As a matter of welfare, prisoners should be tested for Covid-19 prior to release. Support needs to be provided to ensure the safe progress of prisoners into the community. It is particularly essential that no prisoners are left in a position where they are homeless.”

The Scottish Conservative’s shadow justice secretary, Liam Kerr, said: “While we understand this tactic is necessary to give prison officers greater protection against this virus, undertaking the early release of up to 450 prisoners while still protecting public safety is a daunting task which is fraught with risk.

“The Scottish Conservatives have consistently argued that, in addition to the exclusion of violent offenders and an increase to victim notification, this policy must operate for no longer than required to achieve its goal.

“Crucially, the SNP must ensure local authorities have the resources they need to monitor these criminals and make absolutely certain we are not exchanging one threat to the public for another.”

Demonstrators have blocked access to building sites for the HS2 highspeed railway in London and Warwickshire in protest at construction work continuing amid the coronavirus crisis.

The group, who call themselves HS2 Rebellion, claim the work is non-essential and that, by failing to stop during the lockdown, it is putting the lives of workers and their families at risk.

They say health workers remain without personal protective equipment (PPE) and that money used for construction projects should be channelled to such medical supplies instead.

The protesters said they were respecting social

“Public protection is paramount and there will be a ‘triple lock’ set of restrictions... this is not a decision I have taken lightly”

HUMZA YOUSAF

Access to HS2 sites blocked by protesters in labour work row linked to Covid-19 lockdown