'More psychologists in Scottish prisons could prevent overcrowding'

The Herald Scotland

10-06-2025

Their call comes after The Herald's series 'Scotland's Prisons: Crisis Behind Bars' revealed that eleven of Scotland's 17 prisons were at maximum levels of capacity just days after hundreds of prisoners were released early by the Scottish Government to tackle overcrowding.
The latest figures show there are 8,129 in the current prison population in Scotland, despite the official capacity being 7,773.
The current capacity level is also well in excess of the 2008 McLeish Commission of the recommendations that Scotland's prison population should be around 5,000.
The BPS argues that increasing access to psychological support is essential to reducing reoffending, freeing up prison spaces and easing pressure on the system.
Explaining why psychologists are key to driving down prisoner numbers, Dr Adam Mahoney, the Scotland Chair of the BPS's Division of Forensic Psychology said that 'consistent support' significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending.
Dr Adam Mahoney, British Psychological Society (Image: supplied)
Dr Mahoney told The Herald: 'One of the most effective tools the Scottish government can deploy to reduce the growing prison population is investment in psychological services across the criminal justice system.
'More psychologists would mean more support at every stage including pre-sentencing, whilst serving their sentence, and post-release.
'Greater investment in community-based alternatives to custody would also be greatly beneficial. Psychologists are crucial in providing early interventions, risk assessments, and staff training to support rehabilitation.
'There is an urgent need to develop person-centred, trauma-informed psychological care for those in custody. Providing consistent psychological support significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending.'
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The BPS is calling for a 'scaled up' approach when it comes to improving mental health support in prisons.
Services they want to see further investment in include mental health screenings on arrival and throughout a sentence which help identify and address psychological needs early.
They also want to see more funding allocated to Talking therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and other trauma focused therapies, which helps individuals understand and change potentially harmful thought patterns and behaviours.
BPS has said it is vital for the Scottish Government to ensure more support for reintegration into communities outside of prison including access to mental health services, healthcare, housing, employment and reconnecting with family and society.
Other key services they have marked out for further support include gender specific and trauma-informed services which ensure all custodial services are tailored to meet the needs of individuals who have experienced trauma, with a focus on safety, empowerment, and long-term recovery.
Last year, the Scottish Prison Service launched a mental health strategy for 20245-2034 which aims to create environments where people feel able to seek help and support.
The Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Government have been approached for comment.
The Herald's series on prisons this year spoke to a social care expert who told the paper the Scottish Government could be in breach of international law through its handling of inmate social care as the prison service struggles to look after an ageing population.
The older prisoner population is increasing every year - with the number of people aged over 50 in Scottish prisons nearly doubling and the number of over 70s trebling in the last ten years.
The UN human rights-based Mandela Rules state that the prison population should have the same right to health and social care as the rest of society.
However, Alison Bavidge, National Director for Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) believes that, as it stands, inmates in Scotland are not able to access the same care as citizens in wider society.
The Care Inspectorate's Prison-based social work: thematic review from last year found there was a 'strong consensus that fundamental reform of the current arrangements is required' and 'the current funding and commissioning arrangements for prison-based social work services are no longer fit for purpose'.