SNP's shameful jail break must be stopped... with 'terrified' victims put first, say Tories

By MICHAEL BLACKLEY, SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 19:41, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 19:41, 8 July 2026 Violent criminals must remain behind bars because victims are ‘terrified’ at the prospect of their early release, according to a new campaign to ‘stop the SNP jailbreak’. A drive has been launched to stop ‘dangerous’ plans to allow long-term prisoners to be freed from jail after serving only two-thirds of their sentence. Members of the public have been urged to back a campaign which pleads with SNP ministers to think again, ditch the proposal and ensure violent criminals and sexual offenders spend their entire sentence behind bars. The Scottish Conservatives launched the campaign to oppose the proposals which were rushed out on the last day of the Scottish Parliament term, saying they ‘will put public safety at grave risk’. Stephen Kerr, justice spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: ‘It is no coincidence that the SNP snuck out these dangerous plans on the last day before Holyrood broke up for its summer recess. They are desperate to avoid scrutiny of these plans because they know they will put public safety at grave risk. The Scottish Conservatives don't want violent prisoners release early ‘Their only answer after failing to deliver the prison capacity Scotland needs is to open the gates early for even more violent and sexual offenders. ‘The public and victims of crime are rightly terrified about what will happen if these proposals get the green light. That’s why we’ve launched an official campaign so that Scots can tell the SNP to think again and ditch them. ‘Two decades of SNP incompetence means Scotland’s entire justice system is in crisis and the interests of criminals are shamefully put above those of victims.  'It is just common sense that prisoners should serve their sentences in full. If you share that view, then back our campaign and send the SNP a message that violent criminals should be kept behind bars.’ When the SNP Government first proposed the early release of long-term prisoners after two-thirds of their sentence two years ago, they received widespread warnings about the threat to women, children and young people and opted against pursuing the proposal. New Justice Secretary Neil Gray revived the controversial plan last month when he unveiled a consultation which proposed that ‘long-term’ offenders who have been denied parole will be automatically released after two-thirds of their sentence and will spend the final third of their sentence in the community. His reforms also proposed that the definition of short-term prisoners change to those sentenced to less than five years, meaning some further serious offenders will be eligible for the automatic early release after 30 per cent of their sentence, while there would be a presumption against prison for sentences of two years or less. The Scottish Conservatives have urged members of the public to add their name to their ‘Stop the SNP jailbreak’ campaign to oppose the proposals, which it says will ‘let convicted rapists and violent criminals out of prison early’. New Justice Secretary Neil Gray revived the controversial plan last month Online campaign materials state: ‘We believe if you’re sent to prison, you should serve your sentence. ‘The SNP should stop putting criminals first and start putting public safety first.’ Official Scottish Government statistics show that the average length of sentence handed out to predators who are found guilty of rape or attempted rape was 2,564 days, or just over seven years, in 2023/24. Under Mr Gray’s proposals to release long-term offenders after two-thirds of a sentence, someone serving the average sentence for rape would be set free 855 days earlier, after 1,709 days, or just over four-and-a-half years. The extension of the ‘presumption against’ jail sentences to two years, up from one year at present, could also help nearly 1,500 offenders a year escape jail entirely, including many found guilty of robbery, sexual assault, serious assault and even attempted murder or death by dangerous driving. In response to the 2024 consultation on long-term prisoner release, Scottish Women’s Aid branded it a 'regressive step in the commitment towards victim support' and said that there would be a 'risk to women, children and young people'. Children First said blanket changes would leave people feeling the justice system is 'untrustworthy' and demanded a prison governor veto so people who are too much of a threat are not released. Social Work Scotland also warned of a 'higher level of risk' for a significant number of prisoners who hadn’t been considered suitable for parole halfway through their sentence, and also raised concerns about resources.