Early release of prisoners to remain for the next year

MINISTERS have admitted they have no plans to end automatic early release of prisoners in the next 12 months, despite repeated calls from police.

Legislation was passed through the Scottish Parliament in 2007 but has not been enacted, despite Scottish Government commitments.

Prisoners sentenced to four years or less are currently released after serving half their term.

The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (Asps) says it puts communities at risk as many are not rehabilitated nor subject to licence.

In a parliamentary question, James Kelly, Scottish Labour's community safety spokesman, asked whether the draft budget for 2011/12 contained funds for the end of the policy.

Kenny MacAskill, justice secretary, replied: "The draft budget does not contain specific funds to finance the implementation of section 18 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

"The Scottish Government remains committed to ending automatic unconditional early release and officials have been in discussion with a range of interests to determine how we can implement this effectively in light of the spending cuts passed down by the UK government.

"We will review funding under the spending review proposals for 2012/13 and beyond."

David O'Connor, president of Asps, said: "We are totally opposed to automatic early release in Scotland and that will continue to be our position.

"Clearly it's a matter for politicians to consider and take forward, but from a policing perspective, it's a matter which will remain top of our agenda.

"Communities need to be protected from those prisoners who are released early and continue to pose a threat."