Almost 1,000 prisoners will be released early from “overcrowded” Scottish prisons in the latest round of measures to ease population numbers.

The emergency measure is being proposed as the country’s prison population was found to have reached its highest ever level, with more people behind bars now than at any time on record.

Justice secretary Angela Constance confirmed on Monday that an estimated 1,000 inmates will be released by April next year.

Speaking to STV’s Scotland Tonight, Constance said the prison estate is at “critical risk” due to overcrowding.

She has put forward plans for a longer release programme with an estimated 400 to 440 to be released through November and December.

There will then be a pause over Christmas and New Year before a further tranche at the end of Janua

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