Early release prisoners to ease overcrowding backed by MSPs

Charity Victim Support Scotland expressed concerns over early prisoner release which they said could create trauma, anxiety and “essentially more victims”.

Chief executive Kate Wallace said: “Victims are still feeling the impact of when prisoners released on an emergency basis during Covid, which resulted in numerous drug deaths and a 40% reoffending rate within the first six-months.

“Victim Support Scotland welcomes measures to put services in place for released prisoners and is working collaboratively with the Scottish government to minimise the negative impact on victims, and to maximise all available support and information.”

Ms Constance said the Scottish government was doing “everything we can” to support victims’ support organisations.

But Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said Ms Constances’ answers were “not good enough”.

Labour justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeil said she felt “backed into a corner” to vote for the regulations over the ongoing crisis in prisons but ultimately decided to oppose them.