The Tories have launched a campaign to stop the “SNP jailbreak” as it warned the party’s “dangerous” plans to release prisoners early could see more rapist and violent criminals on Scotland’s streets.
The country’s prison estate has struggled with overcrowding in recent years, with 8,453 people currently locked up in a system with a capacity of 7,805.
Just ahead of the Holyrood summer recess, Justice Secretary Neil Gray revealed prison reform proposals to tackle the issue.
They include changes that could see prisoners handed a sentence of less than five years being released after serving 30% of their term.
Back our campaign and send the SNP a message that violent criminals should be kept behind bars
The plans, under consultation until August 20, include a number of proposals made by an independent commission, released earlier this year, including expanding the presumption against short sentences from 12 months to 24.
There are also plans to increase the definition of “short-term sentences” to less than five years, instead of four, allowing those serving a sentence of under five years to be released after just 30% of their term.
Urging ministers to U-turn on the plan, the Tories described it as a “jailbreak” and said it is “common sense” that prisoners serve their full sentence.
Justice spokesman Stephen Kerr said: “It is no coincidence that the SNP snuck out these dangerous plans on the last day before Holyrood broke up for its summer recess.
“They are desperate to avoid scrutiny of these plans because they know they will put public safety at grave risk.
“Their only answer after failing to deliver the prison capacity Scotland needs is to open the gates early for even more violent and sexual offenders.
“The public and victims of crime are rightly terrified about what will happen if these proposals get the green light. That’s why we’ve launched an official campaign so that Scots can tell the SNP to think again and ditch them.
“Two decades of SNP incompetence means Scotland’s entire justice system is in crisis and the interests of criminals are shamefully put above those of victims.
“It is just common sense that prisoners should serve their sentences in full. If you share that view, then back our campaign and send the SNP a message that violent criminals should be kept behind bars.”
The Government also proposed to release long-term prisoners on licence after serving two-thirds of their sentence, instead of the current date of six months before the planned end of incarceration, which Mr Gray described as a “more proportionate approach”.
Two new prisons are currently under construction in Glasgow and the Highlands, but Mr Gray has said the latter will be delayed until next spring as a result of “construction issues”.
The Scottish Prison Service has been instructed to “exhaust all options” to maximise the capacity of the existing estate, including building temporary structures to house prisoners.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Protecting victims and the public is the Scottish Government’s top priority, and we are clear that prison will always be necessary.
“Those who pose the greatest risk to the safety of victims and the public will remain in prison.
“Under the proposed reforms being consulted on, long term prisoners would continue to serve their full sentence, with a greater proportion of that in the community, subject to licence conditions, mandatory supervision and recall where it is safe to do so. They will undergo robust risk assessments to plan for their release.”
The spokesperson added: “Spending a greater proportion of the sentence in the community will support more successful reintegration. Preventing crime remains our focus, alongside increased prevention by focusing on rehabilitation in prison so there is less re-offending and fewer victims.
“Those convicted of sexual offences will also be subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements, ensuring coordinated oversight and ongoing risk management in the community.”