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Scotland's prison population rises to record high
Scottish prisons hold over 600 inmates beyond capacity, with long-term sentences exceeding 4 years contributing to 4012 prisoners, a rise of more than 600 in two years.
- On Tuesday , the Scottish Prison Service reported Scotland's prison population reached 8,430, exceeding the operating capacity of the prison estate by over 600 inmates.
- Policy changes including the Prisoners Scotland Act 2025 have not halted the rise, driven by the long-term population now more than 600 higher than two years ago and remand levels around 2,180 .
- More than 300 prisoners, half of whom served violent crimes, were freed in February and March after prison officials warned they could not accept more arrivals, while HM Inspectorate described Glasgow's HMP Barlinnie as in a 'wretchedly poor state' and 30% above capacity.
- A Scottish Government spokesman said MSPs will consider a new early-release plan, while Liam Kerr called it 'reckless' and said it harms public safety.
- The government has committed to building new HMP Glasgow costing nearly 1 billion, expected by 2028, but officials say another prison the size of HMP Grampian or HMP Shotts is urgently needed.
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HMP Glasgow ‘years late’ as Scottish prison population hits record high
There were 8,430 people behind bars on Tuesday (October 21), according to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), above the previous high of 8,420, with the fluctuating figure remaining above 8,400 for the whole week.
·Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Evening Standard+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Scottish prison population hits record high
Some 8,430 people were housed in Scotland’s jails on Tuesday.
·London, United Kingdom
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Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left, 50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 50%
C 50%
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