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Alerted by the above from MSM Monitor, I thought I’d find out the answer to those in Scotland who will insist – “Aye it’s just as f*****g bad here, pal!”
It’s not, by no means.
First, England, with sources:
MoJ Partial Data (April 1–October 31, 2025): 91 releases in error, equivalent to ~3 per week. Disclosed by Justice Secretary David Lammy in parliamentary statements and published via MoJ.
- BBC News: More than 90 prisoners freed by mistake since April, November 11, 2025.
- The Guardian: David Lammy says 91 prisoners freed in error, November 12, 2025.
- The Independent: Three prisoners released by mistake every week, November 11, 2025.
Recent Updates (November 1–December 2, 2025): 12 additional releases, with 2 still at large (non-violent/sex offenders). Announced by Lammy amid ongoing investigations.
- BBC News: Twelve more prisoners in England and Wales released in error, December 2, 2025.
- The Guardian: Twelve more prisoners released in error, December 2, 2025.
- Manchester Evening News: Government issues update as two mistakenly released prisoners still at large, December 2, 2025.
So, total for this year so far, From 1 April 2025, 110.
Second, Scotland:
SPS Multi-Year Data (2022–2025): 27 releases in error total (8 in 2022/23, 7 in 2023/24, 9 in 2024/25, 3 up to October 2025). Errors are administrative (e.g., warrant issues); quick recalls via Police Scotland.
- Daily Record: Dozens of prisoners mistakenly released from jails in Scotland since 2022, November 6, 2025.
- The Scotsman: Dozens of prisoners released by mistake in Scotland over last four years, November 6, 2025.
- Scottish Daily Express: SNP humiliated as dozens of prisoners mistakenly freed, November 6, 2025.
- The National: Almost 30 prisoners released by mistake in Scotland since 2022, November 6, 2025.
- The Herald: 27 prisoners mistakenly released in Scotland since 2022, November 6, 2025.
So, 3.
Notice the desperation in the Scottish press to hid the recent figure of 3 among older figures and the lack of evidence of any prisoners released in error in Scotland since October?
Taking into account the 10 to 1 population difference, at 30 to 110, England’s prisons are still releasing nearly 4 times as many prisoners in error.
Sources: https://x.com/i/grok?conversation=1996161030662025224
Why is this?
The prisoner-to-prison officer ratio in England, is approximately 3.7:1 as of mid-2025: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/performance-tracker-2023/prisons
In Scotland, it’s 1.7:1, thus more than twice as well-staffed: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7rv9yx0x9o
Click to access SPS_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_2024-25.pdf
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:
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Talking-up Scotland 