Story perspectives

Rape survivor urges Scotland to scrap automatic releases plan

8/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Katie Johnston, a rape survivor, urged politicians to scrap Scotland’s plan to automatically release prisoners after serving two-thirds of their sentence.
Alasdair McDonald got a 10-year term and was labeled a “faceless, violent and predatory rapist,” with victims-rights groups urging exemption for sex offenders.
Ministers said the scheme targets jail overcrowding, and McDonald will be supervised for three years after his imminent release before the policy starts.

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Story summary

Katie Johnston, a rape survivor, urged politicians to scrap Scotland’s plan to automatically release prisoners after serving two-thirds of their sentence.
Alasdair McDonald got a 10-year term and was labeled a “faceless, violent and predatory rapist,” with victims-rights groups urging exemption for sex offenders.
Ministers said the scheme targets jail overcrowding, and McDonald will be supervised for three years after his imminent release before the policy starts.