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| MSPs to vote on automatic early release | MSPs to vote on automatic early release |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| MSPs are due to vote on legislation to end automatic early release for prisoners jailed for more than four years. | MSPs are due to vote on legislation to end automatic early release for prisoners jailed for more than four years. |
| Currently, offenders are automatically released after serving two-thirds of their sentence. | Currently, offenders are automatically released after serving two-thirds of their sentence. |
| The bill would allow parole boards to recommend that those serving long-term sentences spend their full term in custody. | The bill would allow parole boards to recommend that those serving long-term sentences spend their full term in custody. |
| But opposition MSPs have raised concerns about post-prison supervision. | But opposition MSPs have raised concerns about post-prison supervision. |
| Originally the Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Bill sought to end the practice of automatic early release for those serving more than 10 years and sex offenders serving more than four years. | Originally the Prisoners (Control of Release) (Scotland) Bill sought to end the practice of automatic early release for those serving more than 10 years and sex offenders serving more than four years. |
| But the Scottish government want to tighten the legislation to cover all prisoners serving time for serious offences. | But the Scottish government want to tighten the legislation to cover all prisoners serving time for serious offences. |
| 'Cold release' | 'Cold release' |
| Experts have raised concerns about prisoners being released "cold" after serving all of their sentence in prison, rather than spending some of it supervised on licence in the community. | Experts have raised concerns about prisoners being released "cold" after serving all of their sentence in prison, rather than spending some of it supervised on licence in the community. |
| In response, ministers brought forward an amendment which will see long-term prisoners released when they have six months left to serve, and then monitored in the community. | In response, ministers brought forward an amendment which will see long-term prisoners released when they have six months left to serve, and then monitored in the community. |
| The blanket six-month approach was backed by the Scottish Parliament's justice committee, but Labour want the bill to give courts more power to decide how long a released prisoner should be supervised for. | The blanket six-month approach was backed by the Scottish Parliament's justice committee, but Labour want the bill to give courts more power to decide how long a released prisoner should be supervised for. |
| Elaine Murray, the party's legal affairs spokeswoman, said: "Scotland deserves better than a uniform approach to justice, we cannot treat every offender the same and this must apply when they return to the community. | Elaine Murray, the party's legal affairs spokeswoman, said: "Scotland deserves better than a uniform approach to justice, we cannot treat every offender the same and this must apply when they return to the community. |
| "It seems senseless that an offender sentenced to four years would be expected to be placed under supervision for the same length of time as an extremely violent or repeat offender, but that is what the bill currently proposes." | "It seems senseless that an offender sentenced to four years would be expected to be placed under supervision for the same length of time as an extremely violent or repeat offender, but that is what the bill currently proposes." |
| Delay call | Delay call |
| The Conservatives, who want to end automatic early release for all prisoners, argue that the bill does not go far enough. | The Conservatives, who want to end automatic early release for all prisoners, argue that the bill does not go far enough. |
| They have tabled an amendment calling for the legislation to be delayed. | They have tabled an amendment calling for the legislation to be delayed. |
| Justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said: "The SNP committed to abolishing automatic early release, but instead has brought forward half-baked plans. | Justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said: "The SNP committed to abolishing automatic early release, but instead has brought forward half-baked plans. |
| "These proposals do not go far enough - they do not end automatic early release, and only affect around 3% of prisoners." | "These proposals do not go far enough - they do not end automatic early release, and only affect around 3% of prisoners." |
| But the Scottish government said the bill will punish serious crime and help protect the public. | But the Scottish government said the bill will punish serious crime and help protect the public. |
| A spokeswoman said: "While parliament will have a chance to debate the bill and the amendments, the Scottish government considers that extremely violent or repeat offenders should serve more of their sentences in custody if that is what the independent parole board decides is appropriate in any given case, and that is what the Scottish government's approach will ensure." | A spokeswoman said: "While parliament will have a chance to debate the bill and the amendments, the Scottish government considers that extremely violent or repeat offenders should serve more of their sentences in custody if that is what the independent parole board decides is appropriate in any given case, and that is what the Scottish government's approach will ensure." |
| The debate can be watched live at BBC Scotland's Democracy Live website. |