Reliance has admitted releasing three prisoners in error

The firm has accepted the blame for allowing three people to walk free from custody in Scotland.

Penalty details were edited from the published version of the Reliance contract which was released last week.

However, BBC Scotland understands that the contract specifies a �25,000 rebate to the Scottish Executive for each prisoner.

Reliance Custodial Services took over prisoner transfers in the west of Scotland eight weeks ago.

Take someone who is wanted for a minor offence compared to someone who is wanted for murder. In my mind, it should not be the same penalty Campbell O'Connell Reliance

Since then, eight prisoners have been freed in error, but Reliance was not to blame in every case.

The high-profile errors sparked calls for the publication of the company's contract.

Information Commissioner Kevin Dunion ordered the executive to publish details after receiving a request for the information from the Scottish National Party.

BBC Scotland understands the fine imposed on Reliance for the mistaken release of a prisoner to be �25,000.

That figure is the same whether the freed person is a petty criminal or a killer.

The firm's Scottish operations director Campbell O'Connell said there needs to be a clear difference.

Special attention

He said: "Take someone who is wanted for a minor offence compared to someone who is wanted for murder. In my mind, it should not be the same penalty"

The firm is introducing a new form intended to highlight to staff those prisoners who require special attention.

Bosses hope the form will help the firm avoid penalties in the future.

On Thursday, Mr O'Connell said Reliance had overcome the problems which blighted the first few weeks of the contract.

He said the firm was now transporting more than 90% of prisoners to court on time.