New report on remand population in Scotland’s prisons underlines compelling case to back community justice

National body says significant investment needed to end harm caused by overuse of unnecessary imprisonment.

Community Justice Scotland (CJS) has said a report on Scotland’s remand population, published today by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) adds to compelling evidence that significant investment in community justice infrastructure is now essential.

CJS say the report’s findings underline the urgent need for change within Scotland’s justice system to prevent the harms caused by unnecessary imprisonment.

The publication of the HMIPS report coincides with the expected release today of a third tranche of prisoners under the latest emergency measures aimed at easing the escalating overcrowding crisis in Scotland’s prisons.

Across Scotland on any given day there are around 1,100 people in prison for sentences of under 12 months and within a year of release around 700 of them will be back in prison. Giving these people community sentences, where it is safe to do so, could reduce the prison population by the equivalent of two full prisons.

Gemma Fraser, Head of Insights and Intelligence at CJS, said:

“Today’s report from HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland is a wake-up call. Scotland cannot keep papering over the cracks of an overcrowded prison system. Without bold investment in community justice, we will continue to see the damaging overuse of remand and the needless harm of locking people up who don’t need to be there.

The Inspectorate’s recommendations for the Scottish Prison Service are important—but they’re not enough. What’s urgently needed is a shift in mindset: sustainable community support, smarter use of Electronic Monitoring, and consistent access to services that change lives.

If we’re serious about reducing reoffending and cutting prison numbers, we must have the courage to put community solutions first. Other countries have done it by moving resources into the community. Scotland can too—but only if we act now.”