Key Points

Short-term prisoners due for release within the next six months would be eligible

Prisoners serving sentences under four years who are within 180 days of their original release date could be let out

Prison governors can “veto” a prisoner’s release if they believe they pose an immediate risk

Anyone serving a sentence for sexual offences or domestic abuse, and any registered sex offenders, will be excluded

440 prisoners could be released during the initial tranches in November and December

The new early release scheme is subject to Parliament’s approval

Hundreds of prisoners are set to be released early from “overcrowded” Scottish prisons in the latest round of measures to ease prison population numbers.

It comes as the number of prisoners in Scottish jails is higher than

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