The Scottish prison population rose rapidly in 2024, and numbers remain high as we move into 2025.

In response to this, the Scottish Government passed an Emergency Bill in November 2024, which means some Short-Term Prisoners will be released at the 40% point of their sentence instead of at the 50% point, from 11 February.

However, it will not apply to short-term prisoners currently serving sentences:

  • Where a statutory aggravation as described in section 1(1)(a) of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 has been attached to an offence;
  • Under section 1(1) of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018; or
  • For offences listed in paragraphs 36 to 60 of schedule 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

More information on the legislation is available on the Scottish Government website.
 

I'm registered with the Victim Notification Scheme, how will this work for me?

We will contact you if there is a change to your offender’s release date as a result of this new legislation, before they are released.

Where a telephone number is held for you, we will contact you by telephone. If we are unable to reach you by telephone and hold an address for you, we will send you a letter.

I'm not registered with the Victim Notification Scheme, how will this work for me?

You can still find out whether someone is going to be released early under the new legislation. To request this, you can contact our Victim Notification Team at: 

Phone: 0131 330 3664 (lines open Monday to Friday, 8am - 3pm).

Email: [email protected]

Our team will first confirm your eligibility with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, or the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, then provide you with the person's new release date by telephone or letter.

Alternatively, you can ask Victim Support Scotland or Children First to do this on your behalf.

Once we have checked your eligibility, your chosen support organisation will share the new release date with you.

Who is eligible for the Victim Notification Scheme?

Accessing Support

There are many organisations in Scotland that can offer you help and support. Contact details for many victim support organisations can be found on our website.

Support for Victims