The average daily population in Scottish prisons has increased to its highest level ever recorded.
Figures released today show that in 2006/7, the average daily population in Scottish prisons totalled 7183, an increase of 5% when compared with the 2005/06 figure of 6857, and the highest annual level ever recorded.
Over the 10 year period, 1997/98 - 2006/07, the average daily female prison population has increased by 90%. The 2006/07 female prison population was 353, an increase from 334 in 2005/06.
The average daily remand population in 2006/07 was 1567, up 26% compared with the 2005/06 figure of 1,242 and the highest level ever recorded.
In 2006/07, the average daily population of fine defaulters was 46, a decrease of 13% compared to 53 in 2005/06.
The average daily population of prisoners recalled from supervision or licence has risen substantially, increasing by 30% to 519 in 2006/07, from 400 in 2005/06.
The average population of sentenced young offenders (excluding fine defaulters) was 640 in 2006/07, an increase of 3% compared with the 2005/06 figure of 619.
The number of long-term adult prisoners, those sentenced to 4 years or more (including life sentences and recalls), decreased by 1% to 2693 in 2006/07, from 2724 in 2005/06.
The number of short-term adult prisoners, those sentenced to less than 4 years (excluding fine defaulters) was 2236 in 2006/07, an increase of 1 % from 2217 in 2005/06.
The number of receptions for persons who were imprisoned for defaulting on payment of a fine decreased by 4% to 5963 in 2006/07, from 6213 in 2005/06.
Young offender direct sentenced receptions increased by 5 per cent to 2286 in 2006/07 from 2170 in 2005/06.
The total number of releases on home detention curfew from its introduction on 3 July 2006 to 31 March 2007 was 1270, of which 235 (19%) were recalled to custody.
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