On 23 November 2023 the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022 (Extension and Expiry of Temporary Justice Measures) Regulations 2023 was passed. The regulations expire some of the temporary measures and extend the remainder until 30 November 2024 e.g. the increase in the length of time someone can be held on remand in summary cases has expired, but the increase in the length of time someone can be held on remand in solemn cases has been extended to 30 November 2024; and the provision to allow the emergency early release of prisoners in response to the effects of Covid-19 has also been extended until 30 November 2024.

On 05 October 2023, HMIPS published its full inspection of HMP Perth. Yet again serious concerns were raised including overcrowding; cell-sizes which don’t meet Council of Europe Anti-Torture Committee agreed standards and the poor condition of the buildings. The pre-inspection report’s findings didn’t always chime with the findings of the main inspection, however, it did contain some worrying findings: 57% of respondents reported having witnessed staff members abusing, threatening, bullying or assaulting another prisoner and 36% reported                      experiencing this themselves; whilst of those who were due for release in the next 6 weeks, 56% said that they did not feel well prepared for a life outside prison; 73% of them also said that they were not getting the help they need to set up support for their mental health upon their release.