SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 11/09/03

The Scottish Socialist Party today responded to the release of Statistics which show the Scottish prison population reaching record levels.
Figures published in a Scottish Executive Statistical Bulletin show that Scotland’s average daily prison population is up 4%.
SSP Justice spokesperson Colin Fox MSP said;
“Scotland already has the 3rd highest prison population in Europe and this has now increased by 4%.
Cathy Jamieson is saying that we must find out what is going wrong and fix it. But her only plans seem to be to build more private prisons. Rather ironic from a politician who made her reputation on the Labour left opposing privatisation.
"I’ll tell the minister responsible for this parlous state of affairs exactly what is going wrong and how to fix it.
"Stop jailing so many Scots, it’s as simple as that.
"Stop jailing them for non payment of fines and stop jailing them for possession of cannabis. Change the drug laws so addicts don’t have to commit crimes to feed their habit. Over half the prisoners are in for drug related crimes. Unless you deal with this the prison population will continue to grow"