Scotland’s prison population surged under Labour as they built too few new spaces but has stabilised since SNP took charge

By Professor John Robertson OBA

From Scottish Prison Population Statistics 2023-24, published today, we can see that there were only 5 868 prisoners in 2000 but by 2008, as the SNP minority government took over, there were 7827, a 34% increase in only 8 years. 17 years later in 2024, there 7 856.1

In 2005, the Guardian could report:

A new report claims Scotland has a higher murder rate than America. The UN says it’s the ‘most violent place in the developed world’.2

By 2024, Scotland has the lowest violent crime levels in the UK3. Sounds like new prisons are not the answer.

Sources:

  1. https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-prison-population-statistics-2023-24/documents/
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2005/oct/20/penal.crime
  3. https://www.statista.com/statistics/370395/scotland-crime-rate-local-authorities/#:~:text=Comparisons%20with%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20UK&text=In%202022%2F23%2C%20however%2C,lowest%20as%20of%202022%2F23

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2 thoughts on “Scotland’s prison population surged under Labour as they built too few new spaces but has stabilised since SNP took charge”

  1. Meanwhile in a parallel universe, Starmer slithers over to Farage for a wee blether. This as Musk intend to bankroll Reform UK, and Reform UK wants to instal Starwars as a puppet FM.

    Starwars claims to be desperate for an election, even as his lot sink in the polls.
    Is this making any sense?

    A right-wing coalition (of chaos?) of “Scottish” Labour, Reform UK and the rump “Scottish” Tory party would certainly see the end of devolved government in Scotland and be the precursor to the “End of the Union” show.

    There is some sense in English nationalist Farage and “English Patriot party” Leader Starmer cosying up, given their belief in English hegemony.
    Scotland has to become aware of this pair.

    gavinochiltree

    Liked by 1 person

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