Publication - Factsheet

Prison population: position paper

Last updated: 8 July 2024 - see all updates
Topic: Law and order, Public safety and emergencies

Scottish Government action to address the increase in prisoner numbers. Includes information on the drivers of the prison population and country comparisons.

Supporting documents

Prison population numbers

Average daily prison population (all) by financial year

Financial year	Average daily population	Percentage change	Overall volume change
2011-12	8,133	N/A	N/A
2012-13	8,014	-1.5%	-120
2013-14	7,851	-2.0%	-163
2014-15	7,731	-1.5%	-120
2015-16	7,676	-0.7%	-55
2016-17	7,551	-1.6%	-125
2017-18	7,464	-1.2%	-88
2018-19	7,789	4.4%	325
2019-20	8,197	5.2%	408
2020-21	7,339	-10.5%	-858
2021-22	7,506	2.3%	167
2022-23	7,426	-1.1%	-80

First published: 16 May 2024
Last updated: 8 July 2024 - show all updates
All updates: 8 July 2024
Updated information on the release of long-term prisoners.

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Information

Prison population numbers

Average daily prison population (all) by financial year

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