SNP ministers were today blasted after one in nine cons freed early over the summer to ease pressures on Scottish jails ended up back in prison.
The Scottish Prison Service revealed 57 of the 477 released from Scottish jails in June and July under an “emergency” scheme were back behind bars within weeks.
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Nats ministers are also predicting that despite the mass release of prisoners – aimed to free up space in jails – Scotland’s prison population could swell to as high as 9,250 by the start of next year, up by 1,300.
Official Scottish Prison Service stats already put the number of cons behind bars at a whopping 8,274 – almost 300 higher than after the early release programme began – raising concerns another batch of offenders could be allowed out before serving their full sentences.
Critics blasted Nats ministers for enabling “more crime” and of allowing “mass reoffending”.
New Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: “Despite knowing this to be inevitable, ministers still decided to recklessly open the prison gates.
“Worryingly, the SNP Government’s botched prison-building programme, coupled with the projected rise in the prison population, means we’re likely to see even more offenders freed early by ministers.”
The figures for reoffending cover those who were released early and then reconvicted and rejailed before the end of their original sentence.
More than a third – 20 – were back behind bars due to violent offences, with 17 due to stealing or committing fraud.
A further eight were found to have committed “crimes against society” which includes public order offences, and eight more were due to antisocial behaviour.
The other four reoffenders were rejailed for other unknown offences.
Victim Support Scotland warned after the release scheme was announced that some prisoners had been taunting victims by saying they were going to be freed.
Of the 477 inmates then released, the biggest number – 188 – were violent criminals.
And 101 were in prison for dishonesty – a crime category which includes housebreaking and thefts.
Scottish Lib Dem justice spokesman Liam McArthur said the SNP have “only themselves” to blame for the situation.
He said: “The Scottish Government has failed to do enough to stop Scotland’s prison population spiralling out of control. These plans were a last-ditch response to a crisis that was years in the making.
“The SNP can’t be trusted with our justice system.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said early release was “necessary” to keep prisons safe.
They added: “Whilst no level of reoffending is acceptable and we do not want any more victims of crime , the return to custody rate for those released under the scheme was substantially lower than the average reconviction rate of those serving four years or less.
“These latest prison projections point to a range of possible scenarios, and we know there is a likelihood that the population will increase. This reinforces the need for urgent action to tackle the prison population.”
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said the early release scheme “prioritised the safety” of criminals, victims and communities.
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They added: “While EER provided much needed respite to our establishments, staff, and those in our care, it was always recognised that this was a temporary measure. In recent months, our population has risen sharply once more, and remains extremely complex.
“This continues to have a significant impact on our staff and the time available to them to do the important work in supporting people, building relationships, turning lives around, reducing the risk of reoffending, and creating a safer Scotland for all.”