Prisoners offered fist pumps and smiles to the waiting TV cameras when they came from HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow after they were liberated under the early release schedule of the Scottish government.
The former prisoners belonged to the first of a maximum of 390 prisoners who were spent in the coming weeks under legislation adopted last November in an attempt to facilitate the overcrowding in the prisons of the country.
The emergency account allows prisoners to be released to less than four years after completing 40 percent of their term of office, instead of halfway, as was the case before.
The move, which will occur in three phases between now and mid -March, is expected to reduce the prison population of Scotland by around five percent.
How long that reduction will take is another question.
Figures provided by the Prison Reform Trust show that about 60 percent of prisoners who sit out a punishment of less than 12 months, redesign within a year of release.
Early release was granted 477 Scottish prisoners last summer in an emergency effort, but dozens continued with again and were then recovered.
Scotland's Justice Secretary, Angela Constance, has admitted that violent perpetrators are released.
“It is fair to say that in terms of crimes of violence that is not a insignificant part of people who extend short -term sentences,” said Constance.
A radiant prisoner is seen waving with a fist in jubilation after being freed from HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow under the early release plan of the Scottish government
The former prisoner on the left said he had been released 'over the moon', but warned that the prison was too full. “You get two people in one cell, it's like a bus stop,” he told BBC Scotland
Prisoners were released in the first wave of what will be a spread, three -part program of releases, with a maximum of 390 prisoners who would run free without now and 20 March
Support groups said victims were kept in the dark about the imminent releases.
“It is especially relevant that these releases come when we enter the Awareness Week of the victims from 21-28 February,” said Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of victim support Scotland.
'That is crucial, since Emergency Early Release legislation and the prisoner (early release) act have been demanded, no improvements have been made in the victim's reporting schedule – the most important mechanism intended to inform victims.
'The last time prisoners were released early, only two percent of the victims were informed.
“There is an inseparable connection between the work that happens in prisons and the safety of our community.”
The Scottish government schedule reflects a similar in England and Wales, where more than 1,700 prisoners were released in an attempt to reduce the prison population last fall.
The program of phased releases that started in Scotland on Tuesday runs three days before a second tranche takes place from 4-6 March. The last tranche of prisoners will be freed from 18-20 March.
Figures provided by the Prison Reform Trust show that about 60% of prisoners who sit out a punishment of less than 12 months, redesign within a year of release
Those convicted of domestic violence or sexual offenses will not be released early under the changes that follow warnings of prison bosses of the 'critical challenges' that are set by rising prisoner.
'The important point, and the existence of this legislation, is that we have to achieve a persistent reduction in prison population that is needed to ensure that our prisons can continue to accommodate those who are the greatest risk of damage, and also to support Rehabilitation to reduce the recidivism, “said Mrs. Constance, the Good Morning Scotland program of the BBC.
The Prime Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, described last year's prisons as 'cracks on the seams', with more than 8,300 people behind bars. The goal capacity of the goal is 8,007.
“For years, the government was warned that overcrowding in the prison system was a disaster that was waiting and could not act,” said the Scottish Liberal -Democrat spokesperson Liam Mcarthur.
'Early release for some perpetrators seemed to be the only realistic option. However, Scottish ministers have given themselves the power to release prisoners early, to limit the investigation and to prevent prison gouvermen from blocking certain criminals that are released.
“As we have warned in the previous debate in parliament, that is a risky combination for public safety.”
