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Prison population rises
27/11/2009
National Statistics published today show that Scotland's prison population continues to rise - underlining the urgent need to reduce reoffending.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said that prison would always be the right punishment for those involved in serious crime - but that simply building more prisons was not the right way to deal with Scotland's growing prison population.
Mr MacAskill was commenting on figures published by Scotland's Chief Statistician which showed that the average daily prison population had increased by six per cent from the previous year. Speaking during a visit to HMP Inverness, he said:
"Prison - if necessary for a long time - will always be the right punishment those involved in serious crime and those who are a danger to our communities. That is why we are investing £120 million each year in our prison estate including the building of three new prisons.
"But we cannot and will not build even more prisons to fill them with those for whom prison is not the right answer. Short sentences - sentences of six months or less - are not working, they do nothing to stop offending behaviour, and as the Parliament's Justice Committee acknowledges, they 'have limited effect as a deterrent'.
"Reconviction statistics published earlier this year show just how many offenders are going inside for a short period of time, coming out to reoffend, and then going back inside. We need to close that revolving door of reoffending. And to do that we need to tackle the underlying causes of crime - drink, drugs and deprivation.
"For example the effects of alcohol misuse are being felt not only in our health service, but in our criminal justice system as well. That is another reason why the Alcohol Bill published yesterday is so important to Scotland's future wellbeing.
"The fact is that three-quarters of those released from short sentences go on to reoffend within two years of getting out, while in contrast three out of five people sentenced to community punishment do not go on to reoffend. That tough approach means less crime and safer communities.
"Tough community penalties delivered swiftly are a much better way to protect our communities in the long run. That is why we are committed to ensuring that community penalties are speedy, visible and effective."