Cathy Jamieson is looking for improvements in Reliance services

Ms Jamieson told ministers that nothing will happen until she is satisfied no further problems are apparent.

It has been confirmed that the firm is to begin shadowing police, prison and court staff in Dumfries and Galloway.

Reliance has released a number of prisoners in error since it began its contract in the west of Scotland.

Latest escape

On Monday, the private security firm hit the headlines again after a prisoner being taken to Glasgow Sheriff Court in its custody escaped.

He has since been arrested by police.

Earlier this month Reliance told MSPs the firm may have been responsible for six of 17 mistaken releases or escapes since its contract started on 5 April.

I think it's a reckless move, coming just two days after Reliance lost their latest prisoner Nicola Sturgeon SNP justice spokeswoman

Since then, Ms Jamieson has come under fire over the company's continued problems but has steadfastly refused to resign over the matter.

The Scottish Executive said Ms Jamieson had been informed of the shadowing plan but could not predict when Reliance might take on full duties in the courts.

A spokesman said no decision on roll-out had been taken and that shadowing was part of the reassurance the public needed "that problems in the past have been taken seriously".

He added: "Although there has been a disappointing lapse this week, sustained progress has been made in stepping up the performance of the contract in the area covered by the first phase.

"The vast majority of prisoners are being delivered to the courts on time and procedures within the courts are improving and developing."

Vital experience

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) revealed the shadowing plan on Wednesday - explaining it was vital contract staff received on-the-job experience.

A spokesman said: "As the justice minister made clear, no further roll-out of the prisoner escorting contract will take place until SPS has conducted a formal assessment of Reliance's readiness to proceed.

"In addition, SPS and other partner agencies will give formal assurances to the minister of their readiness to proceed alongside Reliance.

Reliance staff will shadow staff in Dumfries and Galloway courts

"The process is still some weeks away. No decisions have yet been taken.

"The next proposed phase would take in the courts within Dumfries and Galloway - a small but important development in the extension of the new escorting arrangements."

During the shadowing period responsibility for the security and welfare of prisoners will remain with the police and prison service.

However, the Scottish National Party said it was too early to make any moves towards extending the Reliance contract.

The party's justice spokeswoman Nicola Sturgeon said: "I think it's a reckless move, coming just two days after Reliance lost their latest prisoner.

"To talk about rolling out the contract, or even moving towards extending it before Reliance has proved their up to the job is to gamble with public safety."

However, the Scottish Conservatives said it was a sensible move.

Sensible move

Tory justice spokeswoman Annabel Goldie said: "Cathy Jamieson has made a right royal mess of prisoner escorting over the last few months.

"It seems to me entirely sensible that if the Reliance contract is to be rolled out in Dumfries and Galloway, shadowing should be carried out.

"However, it is Cathy Jamieson who must ensure that the public regains confidence in the escorting of prisoners and in the justice system as a whole.

"The buck stops with her, and it's time she realised that."

Reliance managing director Tom Riall said the move was "an important development".

He said: "I welcome this announcement by the SPS and remain confident Reliance will meet the high standards demanded by Cathy Jamieson.