Bill passed to reduce sentences for short-term prisoners in Scots jails

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Bill reducing the automatic release point for short-term prisoners' sentences in Scots jails has been passed by MSPs.The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill is expected to see the release of between 260 and 390 prisoners by reducing the automatic release point to 40 per cent of the sentence of those serving less than four years, from 50 per cent.The legislation was proposed to reduce pressure on Scotland's bulging prison service as it struggles with overcrowding, but will not allow the early release of those convicted of sexual or domestic violence offences.The Bill was passed by 67 votes to 54 at stage three on Tuesday, November 26 after MSPs voted to treat it as emergency legislation, allowing the second and third stages to be passed in a single day.As of November 22, the prison population was 8,277, compared with an operative capacity of 8,007.Amendments from opposition parties which would have given prison governors a veto on those who were being released as well as enforcing a community payback order on those released fell.An amendment from the Scottish Government aimed at ensuring the legislation covered prisoners transferred to Scotland and another forcing the Scottish Government to publish a report on the effectiveness of the Bill passed.The Bill also includes the power for ministers to change the early release point again in future through regulation - which can only be voted on in Holyrood rather than amended - despite attempts on Tuesday by opposition MSPs to amend the provision.Justice Secretary Angela Constance said previously the release of those impacted immediately by the changes will take place in February and would happen over three tranches within a six-week period.Speaking in favour of the