Criminal Justice Committee
Prison Population
Background
On 16 May 2024, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs announced in the Chamber that she would be taking several urgent steps to address Scotland's prison population. This page contains information on those measures.
The Cabinet Secretary advised that various sections of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act would be brought into force. These are:
- Section 11 (power to release early) and section 14 (provision of information to victim support organisations) which are being commenced on Sunday 26 May
- Section 5 (time spent on electronically monitored bail) of the Act which is being commenced on Monday 1 July
The Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2024 were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 16 May 2024. Further information on the Regulations can be found below:
The Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2024
The Committee held an oral evidence session on the emergency release of prisoners and other key challenges in Scotland’s prisons on Wednesday 5 June 2024.
Read the minutes of the meeting, 5 June 2024
Read the Official Report of the meeting, 5 June 2024
The Early Release of Prisoners and Prescribed Victim Supporters (Scotland) Regulations 2024 were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 29 May 2024. Further information on the Regulations can be found below:
The Early Release of Prisoners and Prescribed Victim Supporters (Scotland) Regulations 2024
The Committee considered the Regulations at its meeting of Wednesday 12 June 2024.
Read the minutes of the meeting, 12 June 2024
Read the Official Report of the meeting, 12 June 2024