Victims of crime ‘distressed’ as jails are emptied
Hundreds of inmates freed over virus fear
THE controversial decision to free hundreds of prisoners in response to the coronavirus crisis has left victims ‘highly distressed’, a Scottish Government taskforce says.
Almost 350 prisoners were released early during the pandemic – including some guilty of attempted murder.
Officials say streamlining the prison population has made it easier to socially distance and reduce the risk of Covid-19 running rampant.
Yet minutes from the Scottish Government’s Victims Taskforce reveal a number of people affected by crime have been ‘highly distressed’ by the decision.
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘The acknowledgment that lives have been destroyed by the mass release of prisoners is long overdue.
‘Victims have been overlooked for too long and the SNP must finally recognise that they must be treated with respect.’
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf announced in April that prisoners nearing the end of their sentences would be released. He acknowledged it was a ‘difficult decision for some, including victims of crime’.
The Victims Taskforce was set up in 2018 with the aim of providing emotional, practical and financial support to victims and their families.
A recent report states: ‘An individual was highly distressed to find out of a convicted person’s imminent release after receiving a letter from the Victim Notification Scheme.
‘There have been examples raised during the pandemic of worries from people affected by crime to do with the parole process or early release of individuals, such as the above example, which resulted in an emergency response to support the distressed individual.’
Meanwhile, the postponement of trials, leading to accused people on remand being released, has also raised concerns. Last month, The Mail on Sunday revealed that the release plans were triggered by a riot in HMP Addiewell in March, when prisoners took over a wing of the West Lothian jail, starting fires and injuring officers as Covid fears grew.
So far, 348 people have been freed under the plans, with two reoffending. In May, it emerged that Kegan Inglis, 24, kicked and spat at officers who found him drunk in St Andrews, Fife, only hours after early release.
Meanwhile, the number of people on Home Detention Curfew as of July 3 was 79.
The prison population has declined from 8,079 in March to 7,098 in mid-July.
The Scottish Government said: ‘We are engaging closely with victims’ organisations to ensure we continue to meet their needs.
‘Only those with a sentence of 18 months or less were considered for early release.
‘All those released were within 90 days of the end of their sentence.
‘Restrictions excluded those imprisoned for the most serious crimes, such as sexual or terrorism offences and excluded anyone with current or recent prison sentences for domestic abuse.’
‘Lives destroyed by mass release’