According to statistics published by the Chief Statistician
today, the Scottish prison population increased by 6% in 2023-24
to 7,860 on the average day.
The increase in the prison population in 2023-24 was primarily
driven by an increase in the sentenced population (+8% since
2022-23).
The statistics released today only cover the period to
31st March 2024 and do not refer to prison population
changes occurring after that date.
In the average daily sentenced population (6,017 in 2023-24),
there were increases in the number serving sentences for index
offences in Group 2: Sexual Offences (+12% to 1,392) and Group 3:
Crimes of dishonesty (+17% to 344). The group serving sentences
for index offences in Group 1 (Non-sexual crimes of violence)
increased at a lower rate (+4% to 2,722 in 2023-24), but remained
the largest group in the average daily sentenced population,
accounting for 45% overall.
In line with previously reported trends, the proportion of the
average daily sentenced population serving sentences for index
offences in Groups 1 (Non-sexual crimes of violence) and 2
(Sexual crimes) continued to grow in 2023-24, reaching 68% (+1
percentage point from 2022-23).
The share of the average daily sentenced population serving
shorter index sentences remained below pre-pandemic levels in
2023-24. In 2019-20, 53% of the sentenced population had index
sentences of 4 years or less. In 2023-24 this proportion had
fallen to 44%.
The overall average daily remand population remained stable
between 2022-23 and 2023-24, falling by just 0.5% to 1,796. The
increase in the average daily sentenced population has meant that
the proportion of the overall prison population held on remand on
the average day has fallen in 2023-24 (to 23%). It should be
noted that the method of data construction for the accredited
official statistics leads to an undercount of the remand
population when compared to other sources. Accredited official
statistics are intended to provide an overview of high level
trends only.
The nationality of individuals experiencing imprisonment has been
added for this statistical release on the prison population.
British nationals comprise more than 90% of individuals
experiencing imprisonment in Scotland in 2023-24. The proportion
of individuals who are not British nationals has increased from
5% in 2017-18 to 9% in 2023-24. In 2023-24, individuals
from the European Economic Area comprise the largest non-British
national group experiencing imprisonment (607), a consistent
pattern since 2010-11.
Arrivals to prison increased by around 11% in 2023-24 to 11,646.
Prior to the pandemic there was a long term downward trend in the
number of arrivals to prison. While the number of arrivals to
prison increased in 2023-24, the number of arrivals remains lower
than pre-pandemic levels (14,341 in 2019-20).
There was a 6.5% increase in departures from prison to 11,111 in
2023-24. Both arrivals to and departures from prison were below
pre-pandemic levels in 2023-24, but the difference between the
two (535) is at its highest level since 2018-19 (when it was 719)
leading to a growth in the population.
Median time on remand before departure remained at around 21 days
in 2023-24. The longest periods spent on remand had been
increasing over time but fell in 2023-24. While this was a
reduction from the previous year, time on remand remained
substantially longer than the pre-pandemic period. In 2023-24,
the longest 10% of stays before departure from remand took 110
days or more, a reduction of 36 days from 2022-23. However, in
2017-18, the longest 10% of stays before departure took 64 days
or more.
For those transitioning from the remand population to the
sentenced population in 2023-24, the median time on remand
reduced from 54 days in 2022-23 to 47 days. The longest 10% of
stays before transitioning from remand to sentenced took 278 days
or more, a reduction of 11 days from 2022-23. While this is a
reduction between 2022-23 and 2023-24, the time to transition
from the remand to the sentenced population remains substantially
longer than pre-pandemic. In 2017-18, the median days to
transition was 31 and the longest 10% of stays before transition
took 123 days or more.
Background
The full statistical
publication.
The publication covers the period 1st April 2023 to
31st March 2024.
Monthly prison
population management information data covering the period
from 1st May 2022 to 1st November
2024. These monthly data reports highlight ongoing
rises in prison population levels and changes in prison
population composition.
For more on wider trends that influence prison populations, see:
Criminal Proceedings in
Scotland
Journey Times in the
Scottish Criminal Justice System
Criminal Court Disposals
Dashboard
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Justice Analytical Services Data Report
Sheriff Courts – Remand
and Bail Outcomes: Occasional Paper
