The Scottish prison population has risen rapidly in recent months.
In response to this, the Scottish Government considered a range of measures designed to safeguard the community, those in our care and SPS staff.
In June 2024, MSPs at the Scottish Parliament voted in approval of one of those - Emergency Early Release of those on short-term sentences, for individuals who were already due for release in the near future.
How can I find out the release date of a person in custody?
If you are a victim and want to find out the release date for an individual in custody, please contact our Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) team on 0131 330 3664, who will be able to check if you are currently registered for the scheme.
- If you are registered for the VNS, we will be able to provide you with the individual's release date.
- If you are not currently registered, our team will confirm with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) or the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) that you are eligible to register for the scheme. Once your VNS registration is complete, we will then be able to share release date information with you.
How can I access support?
We recognise that receiving news of a change to an offender's release date may be upsetting. There are organisations in Scotland that can offer help and support, and contact details for many of these can be found on our website.