As I intimated in my earlier answer, the previous and current UK Governments have taken action on that basis, which demonstrates that, across these isles, we are grappling with high prison population and the potential consequences of that.
The member is right: the previous UK Government released more than 10,000 prisoners early, between October 2023 and July 2024, and the actions of the new Labour UK Government will see thousands more released early to ease the high prison population there.
Changing the point of release for prisoners clearly has the potential to reduce the prison population. We would always take a risk-based approach. Our plans to legislate will take into account the UK Government’s programme, as well as the response to our public consultation.
Sustained action is needed if we are to bring about a reduction in our prison population, and that is why the measures that we are taking in the very short term are part of a much broader and wider programme.