Mark Howarth and David Leask SCOTLAND'S prison population has broken the 8000 mark for the first time, according to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

Mark Howarth and David Leask

SCOTLAND'S prison population has broken the 8000 mark for the first time, according to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

There were a record 8013 people behind bars yesterday morning, which was 7% more than on the same day one year ago and around 1400 more than the country's jails were built to hold.

The SPS said it could cope with the situation, but admitted it was causing problems.

A spokesman said: "Through the professionalism and the commitment of its staff the SPS is coping with these record prisoner numbers, but it is causing difficulties in providing prisoners with the type of accommodation and services we would wish."

The total number of people within the system is now 8384 - up from 7483 during this week last year.

The number includes 371 who are electronically tagged and serving their sentences at home, which is a 29.3% rise on the figure a year ago.

Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, said: "While crime has fallen in Scotland we continue to lock up more offenders than ever before. This is the absurd situation we inherited.

"We need prisons, but inherited a prison estate that was not fit for purpose. This is why we are putting record investment to deliver three new prisons and a modern estate.

"We need to punish severely those involved in serious crime and continue to tackle the booze and blades' culture. We need to lock up those who are a danger to our communities and who commit serious offences. Less serious offences need to be dealt with by tough community punishments."

Paul Martin, the Labour MSP for Glasgow Springburn, said: "These figures will create even more panic at the heart of government because the SNP has not the first clue what to do next."

Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said: "This news is deeply depressing but not surprising. For many - particularly younger offenders - prison seems to have lost any deterrent effect. That's because life in jail is pretty cushy."

The former chief inspector of prisons, Clive Fairweather, said: "Sentences are now longer in response to public demand, but I don't know if we can afford to build lots more prisons and employ the extra staff and pay their pensions. So we're not far from a crossroads where we will have to decide what we do next."