Prisoners: prison population

In 2010-11, the average daily prison population was 7,853, a small dip of 1% compared to 2019-10 (which had the highest annual level ever recorded). Of these 1,474 (19%) were on remand.  Overall, 95% were men and 5% were women (Ref: Prison Statistics Scotland 2010/11).

Over the ten year period, 2001-02 - 2010/11, the average daily prison population increased by 27%, with the female prison population having increased almost three times (69%) that of the male population (25%) (Ref: Prison Statistics Scotland 2010/11).

Most prisoners (95%) are male, young (48% aged < 30 years) and white (96%) (Ref: Prison Statistics Scotland 2010/11).

Many are from deprived areas. Based on data from 2003, it was estimated that each year about 1 in 9 men aged 22-24 from the most deprived 27 wards in Scotland (2.2% of all wards) will spend some time in prison (Ref: Houchin R, 2005).

50% return to custody within 2 years, with half of these returning within six months (Ref: Ash R & Bigger H, 2003).

The most common causes of imprisonment are non-sexual crimes of violence (36%). Serious assault and attempted murder is the main crime for 16% of sentenced prisoners, homicide for 13% and drug-related crimes for a further 14% (Ref: Prison Statistics Scotland 2010/11).

Scotland has one of the highest imprisonment rates in Western Europe (151 per 100,000 population in 2011) (Ref: International Centre for Prison Studies).

NOTE: Hyper Links to the references can be found on the key data sources page.