United Kingdom: Scotland

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CountryUnited Kingdom: Scotland
Ministry responsible
Scottish Executive
Prison administration
Scottish Prison Service
Contact address
Calton House, 5 Redheughs Rigg, GB-Edinburgh EH12 9HW
Telephone
+44 131 244 8522
Fax
+44 131 244 8738
Website
http://www.sps.gov.uk
Head of prison administration (and title)
Teresa Medhurst
Chief Executive
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
8 254
at 29.11.2024 (Scottish prison administration)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
149
based on an estimated national population of 5.55 million at end of November 2024 (from National Records of Scotland figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
25.6%
(29.11.2024)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
4.1%
(29.11.2024)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
0.0%
(29.11.2024 - under 18)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
7.6%
(2.10.2024)
Number of establishments / institutions
15
(2021)
Official capacity of prison system
7 773
(1.1.2024)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
100.9%
(1.1.2024)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 5,869 116
2002 6,404 127
2004 6,805 134
2006 7,111 139
2008 7,741 150
2010 7,806 150
2012 8,212 155
2014 7,819 146
2016 7,611 141
2018 7,595 140
2020 7,004 128
2022 7,447 136
2000 5,869 116
2002 6,404 127
2004 6,805 134
2006 7,111 139
2008 7,741 150
2010 7,806 150
2012 8,212 155
2014 7,819 146
2016 7,611 141
2018 7,595 140
2020 7,004 128
2022 7,447 136

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Pre-trial/remand prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the recent trend in the pre-trial/remand prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that pre-trial/remand prisoners constituted on that day.  

The final column shows the pre-trial/remand population rate per 100,000 of the national population. 

                                    UNITED KINGDOM: SCOTLAND

Year

Number in
pre-trial/remand
imprisonment

Percentage
of total
prison population

Pre-trial/remand
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015
2020

951
1,175
1,441
1,538
1,589

16.2%
17.3%
18.3%
19.9%
22.7%

19
23
28
29
29

2024

2,116

25.6%

38

It should be noted that the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners fluctuates from day to day, month to month and year to year. Consequently the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.                                                      

The pre-trial/remand population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities. 

Female prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the trend in the female prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day. 

The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population.

                                    UNITED KINGDOM: SCOTLAND

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

Female prison
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015
2020

203
332
443
408
271

3.3%
4.9%
5.6%
5.3%
3.9%

4.0
6.5
8.5
7.6
4.9

2024

338

4.1%

6.1

The number of female prisoners fluctuates and so the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.  

The female prison population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities.

(If the rate were calculated on the basis of the number of females in the national population it would of course be approximately double the figure in the final column).

Prison population total
Prison population rate