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Regulations to allow the emergency early release of prisoners will come into force after MSPs backed the Scottish government’s plan to ease pressure on the country’s jails.

Around 514 prisoners will be released in four waves, starting at the end of this month.

Only inmates serving short sentences of under four years who have 180 days or less left to serve will be considered for release.

Prisoners serving life sentences, or those who are currently behind bars for sexual, domestic abuse or terror-based offences, will automatically be excluded from the scheme.

Prison governors will also have the power to veto the release of any inmate they deem an “immediate risk” to a specific individual or group.

Timescales:
Tranche one: Those with less than 45 days left to serve will be released on 26 and 27 June.
Tranche two: Those with 45-89 days left to serve will be released on 3 and 4 July.
Tranche three: Those with 90-134 days left to serve will be released on 10 and 11 July.
Tranche four: Those with 135-180 days left to serve will be released 17 and 18 July.

Eligible prisoners whose release is not completed within the appropriate tranche will be set free as soon “as is practicable” before the process end date of 25 July.

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The move comes amid a spike in prison population numbers, which Justice Secretary Angela Constance said is putting the estate at “critical risk”.

Ms Constance told Holyrood in May that the country’s prison population had increased sharply by around 400 in the space of two months, and 13% since the beginning of 2023.

On 16 May it was sitting at 8,348, one of the highest levels ever recorded in Scotland. It has since dropped to 8,294 – which is still above the target operating capacity of 8,007.

After being backed by MSPs on Wednesday, from 13 June the Scottish government will be able to bring into force section 11 of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023, which provides ministers with the power to release prisoners in emergency situations.

Angela Constance at the Scottish Parliament in in Edinburgh, after MSP John Swinney became the first candidate to declare his bid to become the new leader of the SNP and Scotland's next first minister.Picture date: Thursday May 2, 2024.
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Angela Constance, Scotland’s justice secretary. Pic: PA

Following Scottish parliament approval, Ms Constance said: “Immediate and urgent action is needed to deal with the significant recent rise in the prison population.

“The same challenges in prisons are faced across the UK and the UK government has taken similar action in England and Wales.

“Through this emergency early release plan, backed by parliament, we are responding to this critical situation and ensuring the safety and welfare of staff and prisoners.

“Protecting the public remains my absolute priority, which is why there are significant and robust safeguards in place and only those due to be released in the next short while are eligible.

“Releases will also be completed in tranches so the necessary support can be provided to safely resettle released prisoners in their communities.”

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Prisoner released early talks to Sky News

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Victim Support Scotland has previously raised concerns about how victims will be notified.

Those not registered with the victim notification scheme will reportedly have to contact one of four support organisations to find out if the offender in their case is among those being released early.

Scottish Tory justice spokesperson Russell Findlay said: “Many victims of serious crimes will first hear about this on tonight’s news. This will cause fear and anxiety.

“Prisoners being set free will have committed serious crimes, including violence.”

Ms Constance said the Scottish government is working with victim support organisations to ensure information and help is available where needed.

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Girl, 10, and father, who died in caravan park fire in Lincolnshire named

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Girl, 10, and father, who died in caravan park fire in Lincolnshire named

Two people who died following a fire at a caravan site near Skegness have been named by police.

Lincolnshire Police said 48-year-old Lee Baker and his 10-year-old daughter Esme Baker, both from the Nottingham area, were killed in the blaze.

However, formal identification is still yet to take place and “could take some time”, the force said.

Emergency services were alerted to a fire at Golden Beach Holiday Park, in the village of Ingoldmells, at 3.53am on Saturday.

In a statement issued through police, a member of the Baker family said: “Lee and Esme were excited to be spending the first weekend of the holidays together.

“We are all utterly devastated at what’s happened.

“This loss is incomprehensible at the moment, and we ask for people to give us space to process this utterly heartbreaking loss.”

A GoFundMe page set up for the victims’ family described the father and daughter as “two peas in a pod” who were “both happy-go-lucky people who loved life”. It has so far raised more than £3,000.

The police force, together with Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, are continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Detective Inspector Lee Nixon said: “We believe we might be close to arriving at a working hypothesis.

“We are working hard to validate the facts available to us to be able to provide answers for the family and loved ones of those who were very tragically taken by this fire.

“Yet the evident intensity of the fire has made this task incredibly challenging.”

Dan Moss, from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, said: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family at this time.

“Our Fire Investigation Team is working with colleagues from Lincolnshire Police, and a full investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

“Once investigations are complete, local fire crews and our community fire safety team will be on hand to talk to people in the area and address any fire safety concerns they may have, at what will be an upsetting time.”

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Man arrested over wildfire that triggered ‘major incident’ in Northern Ireland

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Man arrested over wildfire that triggered 'major incident' in Northern Ireland

A man has been arrested by police investigating a “significant” wildfire that triggered a major incident in Northern Ireland.

More than 100 firefighters and 15 fire appliances were deployed on Saturday to Sandbank Road, Hilltown, to tackle the blaze which is believed to have been caused deliberately, fire chiefs said.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the fire had a front of approximately two miles “including a large area of forestry close to property”.

It was extinguished at 2.53am on Sunday and the major incident status lifted, the NIFRS said.

“The cause of this fire is believed to have been deliberate,” chief fire and rescue officer Aidan Jennings said.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Sunday that a 25-year-old man had been arrested “on suspicion of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, and non-related driving offences”.

“He remains in custody at this time as enquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the fire,” the force added.

A wildfire broke out in Northern Ireland. Pic: Sky Watch NI
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The wildfire on Sandbank Road, Hilltown. Pic: Sky Watch NI

A wildfire broke out in Northern Ireland. Pic: Sky Watch NI
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More than 100 firefighters were at the scene of the fire. Pic: Sky Watch NI

Various fires erupted across England this week amid uncharacteristically warm and dry conditions for the time of year.

On Saturday, helicopters were deployed to tackle Scotland’s fourth wildfire this week, with police saying a blaze “which started in the Newton Stewart area has spread northwards and is expected to reach the Loch Doon area of East Ayrshire around 12am on Sunday”.

Police Scotland added: “As a precautionary measure members of the public are asked to avoid the Loch Doon area and anyone who may be camping in the area is advised to leave.”

Dorset wildfires
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Moors Valley Country Park blackened by fires this week

Elsewhere in England, Devon and Cornwall Police said they were assisting the fire service with temporary road closures on the A30 in the Bolventor area as they tackle “a number of fires” on moorland.

In Dorset, Moors Valley Country Park was forced to close after multiple wildfires broke out there on Wednesday.

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Wildfires spread across nature reserve

Separate incidents were then reported at Upton Heath in Poole on Wednesday, and nearby Canford Heath in the early hours of Thursday.

Friday was officially the warmest day of the year so far – with temperatures in the south of England reaching 23C (73.4F) – the highest since 21 September last year, according to the Met Office.

The weather conditions triggered a “severe” wildfire rating for parts of the UK on Tuesday.

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Man shot dead in Stanley, County Durham

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Man shot dead in Stanley, County Durham

Police are investigating after a man was shot dead in County Durham.

Officers were called to an address in Elm Street, Stanley, at about 5.20pm on Saturday after reports of a “disturbance”, Durham Constabulary said.

A man in his 50s was found to have been shot and despite the efforts of paramedics he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family have been told and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Specialist crime scene investigators are at the scene, and officers are carrying out house-to-house enquiries.

A cordon is in place and is expected to stay there for some time.

Detective Superintendent Neil Fuller said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which a man has been shot and has sadly died.”

He added: “Residents may see an increased police presence in the area. I would like to thank them for their support while we carry out this investigation.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this time.”

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Durham Constabulary has urged anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage or CCTV to contact the force.

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