SCOTTISH and UK ministers are in talks to deport 600 foreign inmates to ease prison overcrowding, it emerged today.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance confirmed discussions were underway with Westminster chiefs over the future of overseas lags — as she was accused of “betraying” crime victims.
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Scots Tories’ leader Russell Findlay claimed her controversial move to free up to 400 Scots prisoners early from February would “risk” public safety.
He instead suggested that foreign lags — who represent about four per cent of inmates — could serve out their terms in their home countries.
Mr Findlay told MSPs: “Now, four per cent’s not a lot, but they’re talking about letting out 300 or 400 immediately.
“I would ask Angela Constance what has she done about speaking to their countries of origin.
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“If there’s any way these individuals can be returned to serve their sentences there?
“Yet again, crime victims across Scotland are being betrayed.
The Government is risking public safety. Yet again they’re making a mockery of sentencing by independent judiciary.”
Ms Constance admitted Holyrood ministers were “actively engaging” with Sir Keir Starmer’s Government about possible deportations but insisted the powers ultimately rested at Westminster.
Labour pledged to fast-track the removal of foreign criminals ahead of their General Election victory in July.
And Ms Constance said: “This is their responsibility, no matter where the prisoner is located. We are actively engaging with the UK Government to identify opportunities to increase the efficiency of their proposed measures in Scotland.”
Latest figures revealed there are 8,273 prisoners in Scots jails, while the maximum is meant to be 8,007.
Nats have now proposed that lags caged for less than four years —excluding domestic and sex abusers — are released after serving 40 per cent of their sentence, rather than half.
Critics say the SNP’s emergency legislation, which could see between 260 and 390 inmates let loose over six weeks, will make streets less safe.
But Ms Constance explained: “The prison population has continued to rise. It is projected to reach critical levels again. I will continue to take the action that we need to address that now, but also in the longer term.”
