𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Scottish Conservatives have unveiled controversial plans to send prisoners to serve sentences in foreign jails as part of efforts to tackle Scotland’s growing prison overcrowding crisis. The proposal, due to be set out in the party’s manifesto on Tuesday, would involve renting prison spaces in countries with spare capacity.

The policy is based on an existing agreement between Sweden and Estonia under which Swedish inmates are held in Estonian prisons. Party leader Russell Findlay said the move would allow offenders to serve their sentences in full while ending early release policies introduced by the Scottish National Party government.

“Our common-sense plans would put an end to the SNP’s reckless early-release schemes,” he said. “Nationalist ministers have thrown open the prison gates and allowed thousands of inmates back into the community too soon, putting public safety at risk.”

The Conservatives say new legislation would be introduced to permit prisoners to be transferred abroad, freeing up capacity in Scotland’s prisons and reducing pressure on the system.

The policy draws on Sweden’s deal with Estonia, agreed last year, to rent 400 cells in a prison in Tartu with space for up to 600 inmates over five years. The estimated cost is about €8,500 or £7,420 per prisoner, not including transport.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr said the approach would ensure offenders serve their full sentences and improve public safety.

“Dangerous prisoners should always serve their sentences in full, but the SNP have given them a get-out-of-jail free card in recent years,” he said. “That is an insult to victims.”

SNP ministers have authorised several rounds of emergency early release in response to overcrowding, with 415 prisoners released earlier this year and around 200 more expected by this month.

Legislation has also reduced the point at which certain prisoners can be released from 40% of their sentence to 30%. The change could reduce the prison population by between 239 and 312 inmates. Those convicted of domestic abuse or sexual offences are excluded.

The Conservatives argue that these measures weaken the justice system and reflect the SNP’s failure to expand prison capacity.

An SNP spokesperson criticised the proposal, saying that action on overcrowding requires serious solutions and dismissing it as unrealistic.

“Action on prison overcrowding is a real issue and requires serious solutions, not bizarre plans from a Tory party who know they will never need to implement them,” the spokesperson said.

The manifesto will also include proposals on housing, including plans to scrap the land and buildings transaction tax for primary residences and to reduce regulatory burdens on builders.

Housing spokesman Meghan Gallacher said the measures would help first-time buyers and increase the supply of affordable homes.

“Our plan is about restoring hope, increasing the housing stock and backing aspiration,” she said.