Prison totals are set to rise, official figures say

Officials from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) suggest the figure of 8,100 - although they said the total could range from 7,000 to 9,500.

Estimates in March put the figure at 10,000.

Deputy Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said the number of prison inmates was low in relation to the crime rate.

Prison chiefs stressed the figures were not predictions or forecasts, but simply projections based on past trends and sentencing behaviour.

Prison figures reached a record high in March, when the total of inmates in jail reached 7,000.

We know Scotland's prisons are facing increasing pressures due to stubbornly high reoffending rates Cathy Jamieson MSP Justice Minister

Ms Goldie said: "Spain has 49.1 prisoners per 1,000 crimes recorded, in comparison to Scotland's 13.9.

"At the same time, Spain has a rate of 2.3 crimes per 100 people, compared to Scotland's 8.3."

She added: "Basically the figures highlight that if there is a greater likelihood of getting caught and going to prison, this acts as a deterrent and the crime rate is lower as a consequence."

Slopping out

But Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson replied: "We know Scotland's prisons are facing increasing pressures due to high population levels and stubbornly high reoffending rates.

"That is why we are both improving the prison estate through record investment of �1.5m per week and stepping up our efforts to direct people away from the crimes that lead them there."

She added: "Major refurbishment in Barlinnie has resulted in the end of slopping out at that prison.

"We are also working right across the executive to tackle the issues of poverty, social exclusion, abuse, poor housing and educational under-achievement that so often pave the road to prison."