Shoplifters and fine defaulters could be given a new option

Under the scheme, offenders would be able to continue to work and take care of their families as well as serving time behind bars.

Weekend prisons have already been established at two sites in England.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said that she is considering similar proposals for Scotland as part of her review of the justice system.

Scotland's prison population is at an all-time high with more than 6,000 inmates.

Let's make people have responsibilities towards their families but also towards society Cathy Jamieson Justice Minister

The Scottish Executive has made law and order a priority but has admitted that the system is not working and there should be greater flexibility in sentencing.

Ms Jamieson said the executive's review of the law and order system is continuing but she wants to tackle the "revolving door" of reoffending which has become all too common among some of Scotland's prison population.

Under the weekend prison plans, people convicted of relatively minor offences such as shoplifting and non-payment of fines could be dealt with in a new way.

Important role

The minister said: "There is a very strong argument for saying that if people are able to work during the week and perhaps have their liberty deprived at other times that would be something I would be open to.

"We know that if people are in jobs and we can sustain them in that way then they are less likely to reoffend in the future.

"We also avoid a situation of taking someone into custody and then leaving the family to pick up the pieces of that.

"Let's make people have responsibilities towards their families but also towards society."