Scotland's growing jail population 'unsustainable' amid gang war crisis, tell me about this news in (https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/scotlands-growing-jail-population-unsustainable-34608510)

The article reports that Scotland’s prison system is under severe strain, with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) describing the current prison population of around 8,500 as “unsustainable.”Key points from the report include:

• Overcrowding and Safety Risks: The surge in inmate numbers poses significant safety risks to both prisoners and staff, while hindering rehabilitation efforts. Prison staff face ongoing threats and intimidation from organized crime figures.
• The Lyons vs. Daniel Gang Feud: A major driver of the crisis is the influx of violent offenders connected to a reignited gang war between Glasgow’s rival Lyons and Daniel crime families. Around 660 inmates currently across Scotland’s prisons are identified as having links to serious organized crime groups.
• Separation Logistics: Due to the violent feud, the prison service is forced into what officials describe as a “daily game of chess,” requiring rival factions to be kept strictly segregated or frequently transferred between different facilities to prevent bloodshed.
• Crackdowns and Convictions: Over the past 18 months, police operations (including Operation Portaledge) have resulted in over 60 arrests related to the feud, leading to multiple lengthy sentences. In addition, several high-profile underworld figuressuch as Jamie “Iceman” Stevenson, James White, and Stephen Jamiesonhave received major prison terms, with figures like Steven Daniel recently remanded on organized crime charges.
• Government Response: The Scottish Government acknowledged the unsustainable capacity pressures and stated it is taking steps to address the crisis, including building two new prisons, maximizing capacity across the estate, and consulting on policy measures to stabilize the prison population.