Minsters hope the plan will help stop criminals reoffending

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson has admitted the policy is being considered as part of a range of measures aimed at helping criminals change their behaviour.

Latest figures show that more than seven out of 10 prisoners re-offend within four years of being released.

Ms Jamieson said she wanted to see monitoring of prisoners after their release "beefed up" if it is feared they could re-offend.

Pressed on whether or not that meant some prisoners could be tagged upon release, the minister said there was "no reason why we would rule that out".

And she claimed the move would be backed by both local communities and the nation's judges.

It would give local communities much more confidence and might also give the judiciary more confidence if they felt there's a closer monitoring of people Cathy Jamieson

She said: "In some instances it might be the right thing to do if there is a significant concern about that person's movements.

"It could be part of a package of intensive support and supervision."

The minister added: "There are already stringent measures in place to supervise certain offenders when they come back into the community.

"But this may give us an opportunity to try to do that rehabilitation back into the community under supervision.

"It would give local communities much more confidence and might also give the judiciary more confidence if they felt there's a closer monitoring of people when they come back into the community."