Concern over amount of Scots prisoners held on remand

Concerns have been raised over the 'heavy-handed' use of remand after it emerged that nearly one in five prisoners in Scotland are being held awaiting trial.

Nearly 20 per cent of prisoners are held on remand. Picture: Neil Hanna

David Strang, the chief inspector of prisons, said in many cases remand was being used simply to ensure the accused would attend court.

Figures provided to the Scottish Parliament’s justice committee show there were 1,370 prisoners on remand at the end of last year, 18.7 per cent of the overall prison population.