1000 released from prison in last year

NEARLY 1000 people from the Lothians have been released from prison over the course of a year after serving a sentence or being held on remand, new figures have shown.

A total of 622 individuals from Edinburgh were among those released from jail between last April and March, including 198 who had served less than six months behind bars.

Another 180 had served between six months and one year while 36 people from the city were released after being jailed for defaulting on a fine.

The figures, which were released yesterday by Scotland’s chief statistician, also showed 59 youths from the Capital were being held as young offenders as of June last year.

Four young offenders from East Lothian were also being held, with seven from Midlothian and 20 from West Lothian.

The figures revealed that Saughton Prison’s average population during 2010-11 was 897. The highest number of prisoners held at the jail during the year was 939.