More than 470 prisoners released early in Scotland

Justice Secretary Angela Constance visited the site of the new HMP Highland in Inverness

More than 470 inmates were released from prison under an emergency scheme to ease prison overcrowding, Scotland's justice secretary has said.

Earlier this year MSPs voted in favour of releasing prisoners nearing the end of their sentences, over a four to five-week period between June and July.

Angela Constance, on a visit to the site of Inverness' new prison, told BBC Scotland the scheme involved 477 inmates.

She said a forthcoming report would provide fuller information and look closely at reconviction rates.

The early release move involved prisoners with 180 days or less to serve from a sentence of under four years.

It did not apply to people convicted of sexual or domestic abuse offences.

Ms Constance said the scheme was a response to rising numbers of prisoners.

She said: "There was a spike in the prison population between March and May that resulted in a 400 increase in the prison population.

"The prison population overall since 2023 has risen by 13%."

Ms Constance said Scotland was no different from the rest of the UK in having to deal with overcrowded jails.

The construction site, shown bottom of the image, is at the Inverness Campus

HMP Highland is due to open in 2026 - six years later than originally planned

The minister said she would dispute any suggestions delays to opening HMP Highland in Inverness had played a part in the problem.

The cost of building the new prison for the Highlands and Islands is expected to be four times more than originally estimated.

The Scottish government said in April it had given the final go-ahead for construction at a cost of £209m.

The initial cost estimate of about £52m more than 10 years ago later rose to £92m and then to almost £140m in 2022.

The new prison on a site near Inverness Campus is expected to be completed in 2026 - six years later than originally planned.

Ms Constance said: "I am very pleased with the progress now being made.

"It is very visible progress."

The Scottish government proposed the early release of prisoners in May and Holyrood's criminal justice committee approved the move the following month.

In May, there were 8,365 prisoners in Scotland, the highest number since 2012.

Scottish Prison Service has a target operating capacity of 8,007.