06-04-2025
Dozens of Edinburgh prisoners may never be freed due to being 'too dangerous'
Dozens of Edinburgh prisoners may never be released after being issued with Orders for Lifelong Restriction.
Figures show the capital's Saughton nick is home to 44 offenders issued with ORL's as they have been deemed too dangerous and at a high risk of reoffending.
As reported by the Sunday Mail, 251 convicted criminals in Scotland may never be freed and will be forced to spend the rest of their lives behind bars if the Parole Board considers them too high risk.
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This includes 44 Edinburgh prisoners - the second most in Scotland. Glenochil in Clackmannanshire has 60 inmates with ORL's and Barlinnie in Glasgow has 27.
Of the 251 prisoners issued with an OLR, 191 have committed sex crimes, including seven members of one of Scotland's biggest child sex abuse rings.
The group carried out horrific abuse and violence on young victims in a Glasgow drug den dubbed "the beastie house".
In January, Iain Owens, 46; Elaine Lannery, 40; Lesley Williams, 43; Paul Brannan, 42; Scott Forbes, 51; Barry Watson, 48, and John Clark, 49, were handed OLRs by judge Lord Beckett and warned that they may never be released.
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They were also given jail terms of between eight and 20 years.
Scottish Conservative spokeswoman for victims and community safety Sharon Dowey MSP said: "The vile Beastie House predators who inflicted some of the most heinous abuse on young children are a prime example of offenders who deserve to stay behind bars."
Professor Angela O'Hagan, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, has questioned the scheme and said similar measures in England and Wales have been abolished.
She said: "The Commission is currently considering the operation of OLRs in Scotland with a view to informing the public debate."
The figures which have been released under freedom of information revealed that of the 251 prisoners with OLRs, 187 had completed their jail terms but had not been released.
The Scottish Prison Service said: "While decisions on sentencing are not for us, the rise in people with Orders for Lifelong Restriction has a significant impact on our establishments."
