COMMUNITIES will pay the price as another 1,000 inmates are let out early to tackle the prison overcrowding crisis, it has been claimed.
Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), warns the early release of convicts deprives communities of a “vital respite” from “damaging” criminality.
Hay says jailing offenders isn’t just “about punishment” but about “giving communities the respite they need to rebuild themselves in the face of really damaging criminal behaviour”.
Data shows that more than one in 10 prisoners released early last summer were back inside before their original release date – a rate of almost 13%.
A total of 477 prisoners were part of an early release scheme in June and July due to concerns about the rapidly increasing prison population.
But 57 of them were back behind bars within weeks – including 12 who were out for 10 days or less.
Of those convicted or suspected of committing fresh offences, 20 were for non-sexual crimes of violence while 17 were for crimes of dishonesty.
Now the Scottish Government is preparing to release another 1000 prisoners by April – the third emergency measure in just over a year to ease the overcrowding crisis in jails.
Up to 440 inmates are set to be released this month and next, with a further tranche between January and April when up to 550 are to be freed.
Hay insists putting offenders behind bars gives communities a vital break from their “damaging criminal behaviour”.
He said: “It’s harder than ever to get sent to prison in Scotland, so when I hear about additional releases of prisoners, then you can’t help thinking that those are people who are otherwise dangerous to the public being released early back into communities.
“First and foremost, there’s a lot of comment that prison isn’t working – and there is a case to be made for that when you look at the really pitiful recidivism rates – 80% of people released from a prison sentence are back within 12 months and that’s terrible, absolutely shameful.
“But at the same time, prison is 100% successful because while prisoners are serving a sentence in prison the communities, the families and the victims who would otherwise have had to deal with them are given that vital respite and given the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
“Communities don’t have to experience the negative impact of their offending so, in that regard, prison is 100% effective and at times that is something policy makers need to realise.
“This isn’t sometimes about punishment but actually about giving communities the respite they need to rebuild themselves in the face of really damaging criminal behaviour.”
Hay also warns that releasing hundreds more convicts early “potentially puts the general public at risk” and piles more pressure on already over-stretched police service.
He said: “Offenders who clearly pose a danger to individuals and communities belong in jail. A declining prison population cannot be heralded as a success if it means a rise in crime and more victims.
“This initiative needs to be carefully assessed to ensure Scottish Government aren’t gambling with public safety to alleviate pressure in the prison system.
“Anything that returns criminals back to the communities faster than they would otherwise have been potentially puts the general public at risk.”
Hay also warns that government plans to free hundreds more convicts under ‘house arrest’ to ease prison overcrowding is risky amid Scotland’s shrinking blue line.
The chief superintendent says the “ever diminishing police workforce” will be tasked with dealing with subsequent threat levels, as well as monitoring compliance with home detention rules.
He said: “Had these prisoners been suitable for home detention and curfews then the question would be why are they not already on home detention and curfew.
“My concern would be, at a time where we are seeing an increase particularly in violent crime, they are putting criminals back into communities and putting the public at risk.
“This is at a time where policing is significantly stretched in terms of its ability to provide that visible reassurance that we know has such a significant effect suppressing that kind of criminal behaviour in communities.”
The number of individuals in custody has been rising steadily for months and hit 8430 on October 21, surpassing the previous record of 8420 set in 2012.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance says: “These emergency measures are necessary and proportionate to maintain prison security and good order, as well as the safety and welfare of prisoners and staff.
“Emergency release will reduce the prison population within days, with scheduled releases over six months maintaining this effect.”
