Long-term prisoners may be released after two-thirds of sentence

Currently most people serving long-term sentences, unless previously recommended for parole at an earlier stage, are released under community supervision six months before the end of their sentence.

Those released under the new plan would be subject to licence conditions, supervision, and ultimately recall to custody.

A similar policy was in force until 2018.

As of 12 June, there was 8,294 people behind bars in Scotland. The Scottish government said the number of prisoners had increased by 400 since 18 March.

In May, there were 8,365 prisoners in Scotland, the highest number since 2012.

Scottish Prisons have a target operating capacity of 8,007.

The current early release scheme involves prisoners with 180 days or less to serve from a sentence of under four years.

Between 500 and 550 inmates will be freed in four phases. The first scheduled release was on 26 June, and this will continue weekly until 18 July.