The cost of housing a single prisoner in Scotland has surged past £47,000 annually, sparking calls for urgent reform in the justice system.
Figures obtained through a Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of information request reveal that the average cost per prisoner place in 2023/24 reached £47,140, equivalent to £129.15 per day.
This marks a sharp increase from 2016/17, when the cost stood at £37,334 or £102.28 daily.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson, Liam McArthur MSP, has criticised the Scottish Government for failing to address the escalating costs and the overuse of remand.
“Scotland’s prisons are not serving prisoners, prison staff, or the wider community well,” McArthur stated.
“Far too many prisoners are on remand, violent assaults are commonplace, and cells are bursting at the seams.”
In 2023/24, Scotland’s average daily prison population stood at 7,860, representing an almost 6% rise from the previous year.
Of these, 1,796 individuals were on remand, accounting for 23% of the total prison population.
McArthur highlighted the disruptive impact of remand on employment opportunities and family connections, both crucial factors in reducing reoffending rates.
“We know that remand is severely disruptive to employment and the type of family links that are so important if we are to break the cycle of reoffending,” he said.
“These figures also show that it’s incredibly expensive too.”
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are advocating for a justice system that prioritises robust and credible community sentences where appropriate.
McArthur stressed the need for a modern prison estate capable of balancing punishment, rehabilitation, and support.
“That is how we will reduce reoffending and make communities safer,” he added.
The rising costs and growing prison population have intensified the debate over Scotland’s approach to criminal justice, with increasing pressure on the government to implement reforms that focus on long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.