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Publication - Transparency data

Prisoner compassionate release cases

Last updated
6 February 2026 - see all updates
Topic
Law and order

Cases granted and refused, since 2016.

Scottish Ministers have the power to release prisoners on licence on compassionate grounds. Reasons can include:

  • terminal illness
  • severe incapacitation
  • where continued imprisonment would endanger a prisoner or shorter their life expectancy
Prisoner compassionate release cases
File type
Excel document
File size
29.1 kB

Archive information

For prisoner compassionate case information prior to 2016 see the gov.scot archive

First published
8 June 2018
Last updated
6 February 2026 - show all updates

  1. Spreadsheet updated.

  2. Spreadsheet updated.

  3. List updated to amend status of 2025 cases.

  4. Spreadsheet updated to add 'withheld' to 2025 cases.

  5. List upated to include 2025 cases.

  6. Information about Craig Holmes added.

  7. Information about Gavin Boyd added.

  8. Added date of death for Sandra Weir.

  9. Replaced 'Withheld' with 'Sandra Weir' on entry dated 16 Aug 2022

  10. Added new case.

  11. Added new case.

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