PRISON bosses have revealed the number of inmates from Ayrshire who have been released early under Scottish Government plans to tackle overcrowding in the country's jails.

The Scottish Prison Service data reveals that 477 people across the country were released early in four tranches in June and July.

Of those, 65 are normally resident in the Ayrshire area.

Only prisoners with 180 days or less to serve from a sentence of under four years were considered for release from Scottish jails, including HMP Kilmarnock.

According to the national figures, a total of 52 proposed releases were vetoed by prison governors.

Some of the offenders released under the scheme included those who were serving time behind bars for crimes of dishonesty, non sexual violence and anti social offences.

The 'emergency early release' programme was approved by MSPs earlier this year.

It follows concerns about the rise in the prison population, putting pressure on the welfare of inmates and staff. 

No-one convicted of sexual or domestic abuse offences was released early under the programme.

The SPS data does not disclose how many prisoners were released early specifically from HMP Kilmarnock.