A statistical report finds that 18.2 per cent of prisoners in England and Wales are Muslim, against 6.5 per cent of the UK population, and calls for urgent responses.
An impact assessment for the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which would end jury trials for some defendants, projects a peak of about 900 extra prisoners in 2033.
The Scottish Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission has said older prisoners in poor health should be considered for early release, as part of a wider plan to cut Scotland’s prison population.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the prison population remained stubbornly high, as opposition MSPs accused the Scottish Government of mismanaging justice.
