In her final report, Scotland’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, called for radical measures to address overcrowding, advocating for fewer prison sentences and improved rehabilitation. The report highlights emergency measures for early prisoner release due to capacity issues. Justice Secretary Angela Constance outlined efforts to manage the complex prison population, including healthcare improvements and release consultations.

In May, the prison population reached a record 8,346, surpassing the target capacity of 8,007, leading to plans for early releases. Sinclair-Gieben has long warned that fewer incarcerations are necessary to prevent crises. She praised advancements in women’s custody and urged similar reforms across the system, emphasizing reduced incarcerations, shorter jail terms, effective prison time use, and robust release planning. She also highlighted the need for appropriate care for mentally ill inmates.

She stressed the importance of reducing the prison population to allow for the closure of outdated facilities. Barlinnie prison in Glasgow, currently at 140% capacity, and a new prison in the Highlands face construction delays until 2027 and 2026, respectively, which she deemed a “travesty.” The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) thanked Sinclair-Gieben for her constructive challenges, noting improvements such as recovery cafes and better employment prospects for inmates. The SPS aims to further enhance rehabilitation, reduce reoffending, and support safer communities.