Scotland's prison population rises by 6%

Scotland's prison population rises by 6%

Scotland's prison population has continued to rise, according to new national statistics.



The figures showed the average daily prison population in the year to March was 7,835, up by 6% on the previous year and 31% over the past 10 years.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said prison would always be the right punishment for those involved in serious crime.

But he said simply building more prisons was not the answer.