Hundreds would face release in Highlands under Plans to free Prisoners
31 July 2008
Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, is urging caution over Government plans to cut the numbers of prisoners in custody after figures released for the Northern Constabulary area for last year showed 681 would have faced early release.
A recent report by the Scottish Prison Commission has recommended that finding alternative methods to short term sentences is a way forward to cut down on over-crowding, and as part of that those serving sentences of less than six months should be released under licence.
Mrs Grant has no objections to people being given alternative sentences but she believes public safety should be paramount when considering releasing prisoners.
"Figures I have for the Northern Constabulary area show that there were 681 people serving short term sentences last year.
"These figures include 29 for alcohol related offences and 17 got less than six months for drugs related incidents.
"Others would include, amongst other offences, people convicted of crimes of dishonesty and violence.
"Across Scotland 847 people found guilty of carrying a knife or offensive weapon would have faced release," said Mrs Grant.
She added: "We have to look at what this means in real terms.
"Custodial sentences are not given out lightly and what I want to know is how the Government can ensure there is no danger to the public in releasing those already sentenced.
"The last Executive was looking at alternative sentencing and I am fully supportive of that move but we must be sure that an appropriate deterrent is in place and that we can feel safe in our streets."
Mrs Grant also has concerns that the effect of restricting sentencing under 6 months will have the opposite effect on overcrowding and could mean Sheriff’s increase sentencing to seven months or more to avoid what they feel is an inappropriate community sentence.
"The only way to avoid this is to identify robust community disposals that have the confidence of our sheriffs," she said.
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