Latest news with #ScottishPrisonService
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fred West documentaries and Fifty Shades of Grey? Scots prison chiefs REFUSE to ban X-rated films from cells despite plea from staff
Prison chiefs have shot down calls by frontline staff to ban some of Scotland's most hardened criminals from watching X-rated films and TV shows in their cells. The Prison Officers Association (POA) implored top brass to pull 18+ DVDs featuring extreme criminal activity, sex and drug use in the wake of an investigation by MailOnline. We revealed that amid an epidemic of violence behind bars, inmates at one of the country's toughest jails, HMP Barlinnie, are free to rent films about serial killers and sexual deviants – despite such X-rated films and videos being outlawed in English jails since 2013. The POA, which represents rank and file prison staff, said that with 'overcrowding, drug use, bullying and organised crime gang activities inside our prisons, the last thing we need is anything else adding to the tension or temperatures'. Yet the Scottish Prison Service last week said it would stand by its policy and refuse to review what films criminals can watch. Last night, Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr MSP said the failure to listen to concerns from staff was emblematic of the SNP 's soft-touch approach to justice. He said: 'This blatant refusal to review a policy that allows prisoners to watch inappropriate content will alarm law-abiding Scots. 'It sums up how the SNP's soft-touch attitude is embedded across all areas of Scotland's justice system and repeatedly panders to the needs of criminals. 'The POA want this to be reviewed and recognise many of these prisoners are behind bars for violent offences and should not have access to this content. 'Rather than passing the buck, SNP ministers should intervene and ensure the Scottish Prison Service rethinks this decision.' Earlier this month, MailOnline revealed a list of movies available to prisoners, obtained via freedom of information, include titles such as Saw, The Silence of the Lambs and American TV show Dexter, about a police forensic officer who kills criminals in his free time. Inmates can also watch TV shows about real-life child killers Fred and Rose West, Myra Hindley and Beverley Allitt, as well as highly sexualised content including Fifty Shades of Grey. Shockingly, US TV series Prison Break – about two brothers hatching a complex plan to break free from jail – is also available to watch. The revelations came after it was disclosed there have been more than 250 assaults on prison staff on average annually in the last decade. This year, the High Court in Edinburgh heard convicted murderer Robert Paterson plotted to have a guard at HMP Saughton 'seriously assaulted' with a handgun. In 2013, former UK Conservative Justice Minister Chris Grayling cracked down on the availability of such films and TV shows in prisons in England and Wales. Last week, the SPS was asked by Mr Kerr what action it was going to take in light of the approved Scottish list of films including titles seen to be inappropriate for a rehabilitative environment.
Edinburgh Live
5 days ago
- Edinburgh Live
Brazen Edinburgh prisoner raps from Saughton cell in mask as clip posted online
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Footage has been posted online of an Edinburgh prisoner being filmed rapping in his cell while wearing a balaclava. Several clips have been uploaded to an Instagram account in recent days of an inmate at HMP Edinburgh in a black balaclava wearing blue gloves as another prisoner films him. In a second video, the individual, dressed in grey, is joined by a second lag as they rap the lyrics of a drill song. In the background a white cell door with writing on it is visible as smoke or vapour can also be seen in the air coming from an unknown item the prisoner is holding while rapping. One of the videos is captioned: "HMP freestyle - graveyard shift," as the second prisoner can be seen making gun signs with his hands. The videos, which have been uploaded as reels on Instagram, have received 100 likes each and attracted comments from over a dozen other accounts. After being approached for comment The Scottish Prison Service confirmed staff work hard to deter illicit articles being brought into prison and work tirelessly to prevent items being smuggled behind bars. An SPS spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on individuals. 'Our staff work extremely hard to tackle the introduction of illicit articles and prevent the harm they cause, and we are continuously working to reduce their availability and supply across the prison estate.'
The Herald Scotland
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Over 150 violent criminals freed early in prison overcrowding crisis
The Scottish Prison Service say overcrowding is having "an increasingly destabilising effect" on the system and that more must be done across the justice system to combat the problem. Its warning comes as it released detailed data on the nature of the prisoners who were freed under the Scottish Government's early release measures in February and March this year. The figures revealed that almost half of the total 312 prisoners freed under the scheme a total of 152 were serving sentences after being convicted of non-sexual violent crimes. READ MORE: Scotland facing 'critical risk' from overcrowding in prisons Riot fears amid record prisoner numbers and overcrowding Governors want early release scheme for serious offenders I spent the day inside HMP Low Moss and here's what I found The second most common offence committed by those released was 'crimes against society', which includes drug-related crimes. A total of 69 prisoners who had been convicted of this category of crime were released, making up 22% of the total released. The data also showed that 83 prisoners were released into the Glasgow area with 65 freed from the city's HMP Barlinnie, while 49 offenders were freed from Polmont and 37 from Low Moss. A Scottish Prison Service spokesman told The Herald that the figures were released in the interests of transparency but warned of significant and continuing pressures on prisons from overcrowding. 'Working with the Scottish Government, and our partners, we released people through these tranches in a way which prioritised the safety and wellbeing of those in our care, victims, and the communities we serve," he said. READ MORE: Demand for more homes after tax rise on second properties proposal defeat SNP minister rejects claim child poverty targets will be 'substantially missed' North Sea oil and gas company fined after workers plunged into water-filled shaft Swinney programme failed to mention independence – so why all the talk now? 'We have been open and transparent throughout, publishing the number of individuals released at each stage, and this publication continues that approach. 'While these releases have provided some respite, our staff continue to manage an extremely high and complex population, with eight prisons now at red risk status, and the number of people in custody set to rise even further." He added: 'This has an increasingly destabilising effect on our establishments, with staff unable to do the critical work of building relationships and supporting rehabilitation, and prisoners frustrated by the impact on their daily lives and the opportunities available to them. 'We need to see a reduction in our population, so we fully support people in our care, reduce their risk of reoffending, and help build the safer communities we all want to see.' Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, acknowledged that work had been done to attempt to reduce prison populations, but that the number of prisoners remained "basically unchanged" from this time last year. "There has been no tangible change for victims of crime. Only 2% of victims were notified of the prisoner in their case's release last year through the Victim Notification Scheme, and the most recent figures for this year are equally low," she said. "The recent Scottish Crime and Justice Survey for 2023/24 shows decreasing confidence in the criminal justice system - this has been a repeated trend for the last five years. Measures like these early release schemes contribute to this erosion of trust. "Just last week, changes were also made to Home Detention Curfew legislation - prisoners serving less than four years are now eligible for HDC after serving 15% of their sentence instead of 25%, meaning they will spend less time in prison and longer in the community. "This is concerning, especially given the current lack of capacity for prisoner rehabilitation, as highlighted by the Scottish Prison Service." She added: "While we're pleased that action is finally being taken to improve the Victim Notification Scheme, this lags behind the pace of changes to prisoner release. "Our concern as ever is the safety and wellbeing of people impacted by crime - if victims aren't informed, they can't plan for their safety and even risk meeting perpetrators unexpectantly in their community. "We fear further Emergency Early Release programmes alongside Prisoner Early Release and revised Home Detention Curfew regulations, begging the question of any meaningful prison sentence or rehabilitation for offenders." The revelations come weeks after The Herald published a major week long series on overcrowding in Scotland's prisons. Our work was prompted by the emergency early release of hundreds of short term prisoners (those serving up to four years) last summer and by the legislation last autumn changing the automatic release point from 50% to 40% of their sentence which led to the 312 prisoners being freed in February and March. Some short term prisoners were barred from these scheme including those convicted of domestic violence or sexual offences. The measures were brought in following warnings about overcrowding by governors and inspectors. However, speaking to The Herald in April, the Prison Governors Association for Scotland chair Natalie Beal warned the early release scheme for short term prisoners would not be sufficient to tackle overcrowding and prisons were at risk of being 'clogged up' by long-term prisoners. She urged ministers to return to a scheme scrapped almost a decade ago by Alex Salmond's SNP government which had allowed all long-term prisoners to be released two thirds through their sentence (meaning they served at least one third of their sentence in the community.) But this was changed by the Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Act 2015, brought in by the then justice secretary Michael Matheson meaning long term prisoners were released six months before the end of their sentence on non-parole licence. Before the change to the law a long-term prisoner could apply for parole half way through his or her sentence. If the prisoner was not successful, he or she would be released two thirds through the sentence on non parole licence (meaning the prisoner could be recalled if licence conditions were breached). However since 2016, while a long term prisoner can still apply for parole half way through his or her sentence, if unsuccessful he or she cannot be released two thirds through the sentence and must wait six months before the sentence ends to be released on licence. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'As is known the prison population has become more complex and risen significantly recently. We are taking a range of actions to manage the prison population including through increased investment in the Scottish Prison Service resource budget by 10% to £481.5 million in 2025/26. "In addition we changed the point of release for most short-term prisoners – those serving sentences of less than four years - from 50% to 40%. Most of those released were serving sentences of less than two years, therefore, their release was less than three months ahead of their original date. The Scottish Government considers that this is a proportionate change which is bringing about a sustained reduction in the prison population and relieving some of the acute pressure on the prison estate.'
Edinburgh Reporter
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Data shows prison officer assaults are a daily occurrence
Figures have revealed that one prison officer almost every day was assaulted by an inmate while on duty in Scotland's increasingly violent jails. Scottish Prison Service (SPS) data shows 350 officers were attacked during 2024/25 – the highest number in five years – with critics claiming violence behind bars is spiralling out of control. Data supplied under Freedom of Information shows 1,543 officers were victims of assault between 2020/21 and 2024/25. There were 313 assaults in 2023/24, 261 in 2022/23, with 294 and 325 incidents in 2020/21 and 2021/22 respectively. According to the Prison Officers' Association, jails are the 'most hostile and violent workplace of anywhere or any other occupation in the world'. They warn overcrowding, drug abuse, bullying and organised crime gang activities inside Scotland's crisis-hit prison system are placing overworked staff under intolerable pressure. Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said the 'damning' figures laid bare the 'brutal reality facing prison officers'. He said: 'Violence has spiralled out of control as the Nationalists have relentlessly slashed budgets, leaving hardworking staff at the mercy of dangerous inmates. 'Resources should be clearly targeted so that prison officers get the extra support they desperately need or else ministers run the risk of experienced staff quitting the SPS. 'Instead of continually betraying those working in our justice system, the SNP must start prioritising their safety.' Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said the 'appalling figures' show violence is on the rise in Scotland's prisons and staff are being put in danger. She said: 'Under the SNP, Scotland's prisons are dangerously overcrowded and it is causing chaos. 'It's imperative that the Scottish Government has a plan in place to give prison officers the resources they need to keep staff safe in a job that carries such risks. 'If we can learn anything from other jurisdictions such as England and Wales we should and with some urgency. 'The SNP must wake up to this growing crisis and work with the Scottish Prison Service to keep staff and prisons safe.' Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP insisted 'no one should go to work expecting to be assaulted'. He said: 'Huge numbers of people, many of whom have complex problems, are being sent to a place proven to worsen their likelihood of reoffending. 'In turn, overworked prison staff are finding themselves with less time to work with individuals to help improve their prospects and are increasingly encountering unsafe situations. 'Prisons can be a pressure cooker but the government must ensure that high safety standards are maintained across the entire prison sector. 'It's time for the Justice Secretary to recognise that a step change is necessary. It's crucial we strike a balance between punishing, rehabilitating and supporting — that is how we will reduce reoffending and make communities safer.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said attacks on prisoners and prison staff are 'completely unacceptable' and all incidents were reported to Police Scotland. They added: 'To continue to provide a safe and secure prison estate, we have increased investment in the Scottish Prison Service resource budget by 10% to £481.5million in 2025/26.' An SPS spokesperson said: 'We take a zero-tolerance approach to violence. 'We take consistent and robust action against those in our care who perpetrate violence and offer support to those affected by it, including our staff.' Photo by Donald Tong on Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scores of violent offenders freed in overcrowding crisis
The Scottish Prison Service say overcrowding is having "an increasingly destabilising effect" on the system and that more must be done across the justice system to combat the problem. Its warning comes as it released detailed data on the nature of the prisoners who were freed under the Scottish Government's early release measures in February and March this year. The figures revealed that almost half of the total 312 prisoners freed under the scheme a total of 152 were serving sentences after being convicted of non-sexual violent crimes. READ MORE: Scotland facing 'critical risk' from overcrowding in prisons Riot fears amid record prisoner numbers and overcrowding Governors want early release scheme for serious offenders I spent the day inside HMP Low Moss and here's what I found The second most common offence committed by those released was 'crimes against society', which includes drug-related crimes. A total of 69 prisoners who had been convicted of this category of crime were released, making up 22% of the total released. The data also showed that 83 prisoners were released into the Glasgow area with 65 freed from the city's HMP Barlinnie, while 49 offenders were freed from Polmont and 37 from Low Moss. A Scottish Prison Service spokesman told The Herald that the figures were released in the interests of transparency but warned of significant and continuing pressures on prisons from overcrowding. 'Working with the Scottish Government, and our partners, we released people through these tranches in a way which prioritised the safety and wellbeing of those in our care, victims, and the communities we serve," he said. READ MORE: Demand for more homes after tax rise on second properties proposal defeat SNP minister rejects claim child poverty targets will be 'substantially missed' North Sea oil and gas company fined after workers plunged into water-filled shaft Swinney programme failed to mention independence – so why all the talk now? 'We have been open and transparent throughout, publishing the number of individuals released at each stage, and this publication continues that approach. 'While these releases have provided some respite, our staff continue to manage an extremely high and complex population, with eight prisons now at red risk status, and the number of people in custody set to rise even further." He added: 'This has an increasingly destabilising effect on our establishments, with staff unable to do the critical work of building relationships and supporting rehabilitation, and prisoners frustrated by the impact on their daily lives and the opportunities available to them. 'We need to see a reduction in our population, so we fully support people in our care, reduce their risk of reoffending, and help build the safer communities we all want to see.' Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, acknowledged that work had been done to attempt to reduce prison populations, but that the number of prisoners remained "basically unchanged" from this time last year. "There has been no tangible change for victims of crime. Only 2% of victims were notified of the prisoner in their case's release last year through the Victim Notification Scheme, and the most recent figures for this year are equally low," she said. "The recent Scottish Crime and Justice Survey for 2023/24 shows decreasing confidence in the criminal justice system - this has been a repeated trend for the last five years. Measures like these early release schemes contribute to this erosion of trust. "Just last week, changes were also made to Home Detention Curfew legislation - prisoners serving less than four years are now eligible for HDC after serving 15% of their sentence instead of 25%, meaning they will spend less time in prison and longer in the community. "This is concerning, especially given the current lack of capacity for prisoner rehabilitation, as highlighted by the Scottish Prison Service." She added: "While we're pleased that action is finally being taken to improve the Victim Notification Scheme, this lags behind the pace of changes to prisoner release. "Our concern as ever is the safety and wellbeing of people impacted by crime - if victims aren't informed, they can't plan for their safety and even risk meeting perpetrators unexpectantly in their community. "We fear further Emergency Early Release programmes alongside Prisoner Early Release and revised Home Detention Curfew regulations, begging the question of any meaningful prison sentence or rehabilitation for offenders." The revelations come weeks after The Herald published a major week long series on overcrowding in Scotland's prisons. Our work was prompted by the emergency early release of hundreds of short term prisoners (those serving up to four years) last summer and by the legislation last autumn changing the automatic release point from 50% to 40% of their sentence which led to the 312 prisoners being freed in February and March. Some short term prisoners were barred from these scheme including those convicted of domestic violence or sexual offences. The measures were brought in following warnings about overcrowding by governors and inspectors. However, speaking to The Herald in April, the Prison Governors Association for Scotland chair Natalie Beal warned the early release scheme for short term prisoners would not be sufficient to tackle overcrowding and prisons were at risk of being 'clogged up' by long-term prisoners. She urged ministers to return to a scheme scrapped almost a decade ago by Alex Salmond's SNP government which had allowed all long-term prisoners to be released two thirds through their sentence (meaning they served at least one third of their sentence in the community.) But this was changed by the Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Act 2015, brought in by the then justice secretary Michael Matheson meaning long term prisoners were released six months before the end of their sentence on non-parole licence. Before the change to the law a long-term prisoner could apply for parole half way through his or her sentence. If the prisoner was not successful, he or she would be released two thirds through the sentence on non parole licence (meaning the prisoner could be recalled if licence conditions were breached). However since 2016, while a long term prisoner can still apply for parole half way through his or her sentence, if unsuccessful he or she cannot be released two thirds through the sentence and must wait six months before the sentence ends to be released on licence. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'As is known the prison population has become more complex and risen significantly recently. We are taking a range of actions to manage the prison population including through increased investment in the Scottish Prison Service resource budget by 10% to £481.5 million in 2025/26. "In addition we changed the point of release for most short-term prisoners – those serving sentences of less than four years - from 50% to 40%. Most of those released were serving sentences of less than two years, therefore, their release was less than three months ahead of their original date. The Scottish Government considers that this is a proportionate change which is bringing about a sustained reduction in the prison population and relieving some of the acute pressure on the prison estate.'
