Parliament backs Scot Lib Dem proposal for long term prison population strategy 

The Scottish Parliament has today backed a Scottish Liberal Democrat amendment which calls on the Scottish Government to publish a long-term strategy for achieving a sustainable prison population.

The party's amendment also noted the persistently high remand population and the contribution that court delays and wider pressures within the justice system have on overcrowding in the prison estate.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Yi-pei Chou Turvey said:

"Scotland’s prisons are, once again, operating at or near critical capacity, with prisoners confined for 23 hours a day, within a prison estate better suited to the previous century. 

"This is a serious problem – for prison staff, for rehabilitation, for public confidence and ultimately, for public safety.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats believe that public protection, rehabilitation, alternatives to custody and a reduction in reoffending must be pursued together rather than in competition with one another

"We are also clear that investment in addiction treatment, mental health services, supported housing and effective community justice are essential to reducing offending and easing the pressure on prisons."