Scottish prisons are creaking at the seams with inmates, and staff are bearing the brunt.

Some prisoners are being released in a third “emergency” pressure release.

Phil Fairlie of the Scottish Prison Officers Association joins us to explain what it’s like on the front line.

We also look at the latest stories behind the headlines, including a glimmer of good news for people caught up in the crumbling concrete housing crisis in Aberdeen.

And we look at an update on disgraced NHS Tayside surgeon Sam Eljamel as the public inquiry gets closer.

From Russian aggression, to culture wars in the aisles of a Dundee Hobbycraft, this week’s Stooshie covers ground.

We start with a catch up after Scottish Parliament recess and what we gleaned from a few days in Whitehall and Westminster.

Defence is a hot topic, with German planes using RAF Lossiemouth and big questions about the threat from Russia off Scotland’s coasts.

The team gets into the new plan to use an Inverness barracks as migrant accommodation – how are locals reacting?

And we look at toxic culture wars on gender and freedom of speech, including a Tory “joke” about Rangers, and a gender rights row in a craft shop.

On this week's episode, The Courier's campaigns editor Sean O'Neill joins The Stooshie to talk about the Voice for Victims campaign which pushed for changes to legislation to improve the parole system for victims and their families.

Sean discusses why this is so important and how locals let down by the system inspired the campaign. And most importantly - what comes next?

We look at a hard-hitting series about the institutional failures which added to an abuse survivor’s ordeal in the Highlands.

The Stooshie delves into the repercussions of The Chameleon, published by the P&J.

We look at the political impact, the need for big changes and how survivors can be better protected.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton also joins us for a run-through of his ambitions for next May’s elections, as the party heads to its conference this weekend.

The SNP conference is being held in Aberdeen this weekend, and there’s an election around the corner.

SNP MP Graham Leadbitter joins the Stooshie to look at the big talking points.

We cover the ever-present focus of independence, the policies getting people talking and the challenges for John Swinney.

And we look at the political challenge from a bruised Conservative party and an upstart Reform group.

Maurice Golden is calling time on dog thieves.

He hopes a new law that could seem them caged for five years will pass its first Scottish Parliament hurdle.

In the Stooshie, the North East MSP sets out why dog theft is different and describes surprising links to organised crime gangs.

First, the team discusses the impact of placing asylum seekers at a university campus in Aberdeen full of international students.

And how a wall of silence in Perth & Kinross led to important discussions about reporting immigration stories.

Labour MP Graeme Downie talks to us about the health of the party before conference begins in Liverpool.

He was in Dunfermline with deputy leadership candidate Lucy Powell this week, after the resignation of Angela Rayner.

What do MPs think of Keir Starmer’s leadership?

How are they fighting Reform’s advance?

And what is the mood in Scottish Labour before a crucial Holyrood election next spring?

Asylum seekers are being moved from hotels to student halls of residence - what do people in Aberdeen think?

Why is the Home Office being so terrible at explaining what’s happening?

We look at a Reform/Tory turf war in an SNP target seat.

And what do changes to the law mean for victims of crime?

SNP MSP Kevin Stewart also joins to go over his high points and experience with mental health struggles as he prepares to leave parliament next spring.