The first batch of prisoners to be released early from Scotland’s jails are being freed, officials have said.

Over the next four weeks between 500 and 550 inmates will leave custody to ease pressure on the country’s overcrowded prisons.

The move involves prisoners with 180 days or less to serve from a sentence of under four years.

It will not apply to people convicted of sexual or domestic abuse offences.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “We have worked collaboratively with partners to prepare those approaching the end of their sentence for a supported early release.

“Governors have vetoed anyone they found posed an immediate risk to individuals or groups, with the help of intelligence from police and social work.

“The safety and wellbeing of people in our care, our staff, and the communities we support continues to be a key priority throughout, with information for victims and families available on our website.”

Proposals for early prisoner release were announced in May following an “unprecedented” rise in the prison population.

The Scottish government said the number of prisoners had increased by 400 since 18 March.

At one point this month there were 8,365 people behind bars, the highest number since 2012.

Scottish Prisons have a target operating capacity of 8,007.

The plans were approved by Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee on 12 June.

Scottish ministers have the power to release prisoners in emergency situations under section 11 of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023, external.

The Justice Secetary Angela Constance previously told MSPs she had hoped these power “would never need to be used”.