Almost 350 prisoners have been released early from Scottish jails during a programme to protect offenders from the spread of Covid-19.A further 76 cons were freed in the final stage of the emergency scheme over the last week, bringing the overall total to 348.The tally was revealed after the deaths of six inmates, including murderers and sex offenders, were linked to coronavirus in recent weeks.At the start of the programme, almost 450 prisoners were deemed eligible for early release but the decision was made to keep almost 100 behind bars, with dozens having their release ‘vetoed’ by governors who considered they could still pose a risk of harm to others.The largest number of offenders were released from HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, with 77