Prisoners could be released after serving just one third of their sentence under new proposals announced in a Scottish Government consultation.

Ministers are seeking views on a range of measures aimed at reducing the prison population and cutting reoffending – including plans for offenders serving four years or less to be automatically released earlier than the current half-way point of their sentence.

Longer-term prisoners could also be brought before the parole board earlier under the proposals.

The consultation suggests that both of these options could be triggered after criminals serve one third of their jail term. They may then be electronically monitored for a period of time on release.

The proposals also include plans for government ministers to be allowed to order the release of certain groups of prisoners “in response to exceptional circumstances” – as was done during the Covid-19 pandemic using emergency legislation.

Opposition politicians described the plans as “reckless”, while victim groups warned that public and victim safety must stay at the heart of any decision.

However, justice experts welcomed the move towards “a more risk-based system, rather than a numerical one”.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said Scotland “cannot simply keep using imprisonment to address wider societal harms”.

He added: “This consultation asks important questions about how custody should be used in Scotland now and in the future, with a focus on reducing crime and reoffending and keeping people safe.”

Advocate Niall McCluskey welcomed the proposals, which also include potential measures to support offenders on their release from prison such as a ban on Friday or public holiday releases and changes to home detention curfews.

He said: “What really comes out of this consultation is that the Scottish Government is looking to move towards a more risk-based system, rather than a numerical one.

“It’s always very difficult, risk is always speculative to an extent. But there will be some people who do learn their lesson quicker than others, who do reform, who do accept responsibility, and if they have taken rehabilitative steps then why not release them earlier?

“On the whole I would welcome any proposals that are more risk-based and focused on rehabilitation.”

However, the Scottish Conservatives said sentences would be rendered “almost meaningless” if the proposals go ahead.

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Jamie Greene MSP, said: “The SNP Government must stop stacking the odds in criminals’ favour and start putting victims first.”

The consultation also includes proposals to overhaul the use of remand in Scotland's prisons.

The level of remand has long been viewed as a concern, with the situation worsening during the pandemic.

Scottish Prison Service statistics show that there are currently 2,217 people on remand either awaiting trial or sentence - 29 per cent of the prison population.

According to the World Prison Brief, Scotland ranks 24th in Europe for high levels of pre-trial remand prisoners, compared to England and Wales who rank 45th.

Scottish Government proposals suggest a move towards more electronic monitoring, with judges and sheriffs required to provide reasons for refusing bail.

The consultation also proposes that any decision to refuse bail must only be done so on public safety grounds - not due to concerns the accused might not appear at court.

Karyn McCluskey, chief executive of Community Justice Scotland, said: “The total number of people on remand in Scotland is far too high, a situation exacerbated by the pandemic.

“Periods of custody, especially on remand, can have devastating emotional, psychological, and financial impacts.

"People are separated from their communities, children, removed from support networks and can be driven into debt and homelessness.

“Remand is an essential tool but we should think carefully about how it is used. We need to look at different ways to keep people in the community and to support them to not reoffend. This includes ensuring people have access to the right support before and after they leave prison."

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, said the review of custody release and remand was "very necessary".

She said: "With Scotland having one of the highest incarceration rates and also one of the highest substance misuse mortality rates, the consultation will I hope be recognition that the rise in remand, overcrowding in prisons, and the enduring pressure of addiction requires consideration of a different approach."

Victim Support Scotland added that it would respond to the consultation in due course, saying that "it is paramount that offending behaviour within communities is taken seriously and handled appropriately".

The consultation will run for 12 weeks, with a Bill scheduled to be introduced within the next year.