Less than 20 short-term prisoners from the the Highlands and Western Isles likely to be eligible for early release under coronavirus measures

It is anticipated that the number of prisoners eligible for early release in the Highland and Western Isles area as part of measures to tackle coronavirus will be less than 20.

The news comes as the Scottish Government confirmed yesterday that a number of short-term prisoners nearing the end of their time in custody are to be released early, under measures designed to help tackle the Covid-19 outbreak.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said there were currently 86 prisoners in Porterfield Prison in Inverness, which is designed to hold 110 inmates.

He said there were currently no suspected coronavirus cases among the prison population and added: "The population being down would help."

Under the scheme announced by the government prisoners eligible for early release would be from among those who have 90 days or less of their sentence still to serve.

They would also have to be serving sentences of no more than 18 months and would have been convicted of low level offences.

The move would exclude the most serious offenders such as those imprisoned for life and/ or convicted of sexual, domestic abuse or terrorism offences.

The aim is is help prison and healthcare staff continue to manage safely all those who remain in their care.

Regulations are to be put before the Scottish Parliament so that releases can start from April 30.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “In this exceptional public health emergency, we are taking focused action to protect public safety as well as prisoners, prison staff and NHS staff and others that work in our prisons.

“Using these emergency release powers, combined with increasing those on HDC (electronic monitoring) will substantially increase the availability of single-cell accommodation across the prison estate, which in turn will help SPS contain the spread of Coronavirus in our prisons.

"In addition, the resulting reduction in the prison population will allow the prison service to ease restrictions put on prisoners during these challenging times.

"The Scottish Prison Service has had to make significant changes to how they operate already in just a few weeks, with family visits paused, restricted activities and additional time in cells for those in their care. We must help staff to manage prisons in a sustainable way over the weeks and months ahead. This latest step – based on the emergency powers passed by MSPs earlier this month – will give them greater capacity to help ensure a safe custodial environment."

“The pace of recent events has been rapid and, in the available time, we have been working with the prison service and community justice partners to consider what appropriate arrangements can be put in place for a number of individuals to be considered for return to their homes and families, just a few months or even weeks before they were otherwise due to be released.

“This is not a decision that I have taken lightly, and I want to assure the victims of crime that this does not diminish what they have suffered. In these exceptional circumstances, I must consider actions that best reduce the prospect of further harm both in prisons and the wider community of which they are part.”

Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie welcomed the announcement that some prisoners are set to be released early but said they, as well as their families, must be given full support to help them reintegrate into society.

Mr Finnie said: “The Scottish Government has had a difficult task to balance the rights and needs of victims, prisoners, prison staff and families, but this decision to go ahead with limited early release is the right one, with some important exceptions for public safety.

"Apart from anything else, we simply don’t have enough cells for inmates to self-isolate.

“Many prisoners are released with no home to go to, and as well as housing and financial assistance, individuals often need support with addictions and both physical and mental health issues.

"Addressing these challenges is even more important in the current crisis. Highland Council and NHS Highland must work closely with the Scottish Prison Service to ensure prisoners and their families have the support required to reintegrate into their communities at this difficult time.”

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