Prisoners, including serious criminals serving long-term sentences, could be let out after serving just a third of their sentence, according to a new consultation from the SNP Government.
The consultation suggests allowing short-term prisoners to be automatically released after serving a third of their sentence, while long-term prisoners could be automatically considered for release by the parole board after serving the same period.
The SNP Government is also suggesting giving itself executive powers to release prisoners – allowing them to override judges’ sentencing decisions.
The Scottish Conservatives have slammed the SNP for watering down sentences and stacking the justice system in favour of criminals.
Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Jamie Greene MSP, said:
“These reckless soft-touch justice proposals from the SNP Government are making prison sentences almost meaningless.
“If the SNP truly wanted to do something for victims, they would back the Scottish Conservatives’ calls to end automatic early release.
“Instead, they are intent on letting rapists and killers back on our streets after serving only a small fraction of their sentence.
“The SNP Government must stop stacking the odds in criminals’ favour and start putting victims first.”
Notes
Prisoners could be automatically released after serving just a third of their sentence under SNP plans. The Scottish Government’s consultation states: ‘This consultation seeks views as to whether release law could be adjusted so the points at which a prisoner is automatically released (for short-term prisoners) or considered for release (for long-term prisoners) could be altered in some or all cases… For example, what this could mean in practice is that short-term prisoners could be automatically released earlier than the half-way point of their sentence, e.g. at the 1/3 point.’ (Scottish Government, Consultation on Bail and Release from Custody Arrangements in Scotland, 15 November 2021, link).
Criminals given four-year or longer prison sentences could be released after serving a third of their sentence. The Scottish Government’s consultation states: ‘Similarly, a prisoner serving a sentence of four years or more could have their case brought before the Parole Board for consideration before the half-way point of their sentence’ and suggests a ‘change to automatic consideration [for release of prisoner] by Parole Board once one third of the sentence is served for all long-term prisoners’. (Scottish Government, Consultation on Bail and Release from Custody Arrangements in Scotland, 15 November 2021, link).
The Scottish Government is considering giving itself executive power to release prisoners. The consultation states: ‘An “Executive release” provision would provide Ministers with the power to direct the release of a specified, limited group of prisoners if certain conditions are met.’ The consultation then asks: ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree with the introduction of an executive power of release, for use in exceptional circumstances?’ (Scottish Government, Consultation on Bail and Release from Custody Arrangements in Scotland, 15 November 2021, link).
The Scottish Conservatives support ending automatic early release for all criminals. The Scottish Conservative manifesto states: ‘we would end automatic early release and ensure courts are upfront about the length of sentences’. (Scottish Conservatives, 2021 Manifesto, 19 April 2021, link).