Early release scheme provokes storm
Executive accused over tagging plan for low risk prisoners
A political row looms as Scottish Ministers are set to announce new plans to cut the population of Scotland's prisons.
According to today's Scotsman, Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson will unveil a scheme for electronic tagging of low-risk prisoners who will be allowed out of jail on licence. Some will be freed after serving just a quarter of their sentences.
Some hundreds of prisoners could benefit. They would be allowed to remain free as long as they keep to the terms of their release.
The proposals will feature in the Management of Offenders Bill, to be published today. While intended as a means to help prisons struggling with record numbers of inmates, opposition politicians are already claiming that the Executive is giving up the fight against crime.
First Minister Jack McConnell announced to the Scottish conference of the Labour Party on Saturday that sex offenders could be tagged, put under curfew or banned from approaching schools and playgrounds as a further protection for children.
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