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| Prison numbers reach record high | Prison numbers reach record high |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The number of prisoners in Scotland's jails has reached a record high, according to new figures. | The number of prisoners in Scotland's jails has reached a record high, according to new figures. |
| The Scottish Prison service (SPS) said there were now 7,609 people behind bars, including 393 women. | The Scottish Prison service (SPS) said there were now 7,609 people behind bars, including 393 women. |
| Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the number of inmates was currently about 1,000 beyond design capacity. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the number of inmates was currently about 1,000 beyond design capacity. |
| He is set to meet staff and inmates at Scotland's only female prison, HMP Cornton Vale, to see how the jail is coping with overcrowding issues. | He is set to meet staff and inmates at Scotland's only female prison, HMP Cornton Vale, to see how the jail is coping with overcrowding issues. |
| Speaking ahead of the visit, he said the number of women in custody in Scotland had increased by 90% in the past decade. | Speaking ahead of the visit, he said the number of women in custody in Scotland had increased by 90% in the past decade. |
| The minister will be joined at the prison by members of the Scottish Parliament's justice committee. | The minister will be joined at the prison by members of the Scottish Parliament's justice committee. |
| We also have a problem that we lock up far more people than most other countries in the world Kenny MacAskill | We also have a problem that we lock up far more people than most other countries in the world Kenny MacAskill |
| He said: "The mandatory use of Supervised Attendance Orders for fine defaulters is designed to remove up to 3,000 receptions per year of fine defaulters to our prisons, including those who might otherwise have been sent to Cornton Vale. | He said: "The mandatory use of Supervised Attendance Orders for fine defaulters is designed to remove up to 3,000 receptions per year of fine defaulters to our prisons, including those who might otherwise have been sent to Cornton Vale. |
| "Our chief inspector of prisons regularly talks of the catalogue of problems caused by overcrowding. | "Our chief inspector of prisons regularly talks of the catalogue of problems caused by overcrowding. |
| "It's obvious that we need some fresh thinking in this area which is why I have set up an independent Prisons Commission to look widely at the purpose of prison in a modern Scotland." | "It's obvious that we need some fresh thinking in this area which is why I have set up an independent Prisons Commission to look widely at the purpose of prison in a modern Scotland." |
| 'Dangerous offenders' | 'Dangerous offenders' |
| According to the SPS, Scotland's prison population reached a record high of 7,609 on Friday, 8 February. | According to the SPS, Scotland's prison population reached a record high of 7,609 on Friday, 8 February. |
| A further 327 people were also on home detention curfew that day. | A further 327 people were also on home detention curfew that day. |
| The numbers contrast with 7,166 people in custody on 28 December last year. | |
| Since 1991, Scotland has seen its average daily prison population increase by 51.6%. | Since 1991, Scotland has seen its average daily prison population increase by 51.6%. |
| Mr MacAskill said it was "perverse" that less people were offending and more were going to jail. | Mr MacAskill said it was "perverse" that less people were offending and more were going to jail. |
| He added: "We also have a problem that we lock up far more people than most other countries in the world. | He added: "We also have a problem that we lock up far more people than most other countries in the world. |
| "So we have to have a coherent penal policy that protects us from the serious and dangerous offenders and allows those who, in many instances, are deeply troubled to be treated in our communities.'' | "So we have to have a coherent penal policy that protects us from the serious and dangerous offenders and allows those who, in many instances, are deeply troubled to be treated in our communities.'' |