Reliance has been put on notice over its performance

The challenge came when Scottish National Party leader John Swinney pressed Jack McConnell for details of Reliance's contract.

During First Minister's Questions, Mr Swinney pointed to the latest mistaken release of an inmate.

The roll-out of Reliance's contract across Scotland is currently on hold.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson took the step to suspend the spread of the firm's contract after a spate of mistaken releases of prisoners and she has publicly told the company to "shape up or ship out".

'Reassure the public'

Mr Swinney asked the first minister on Thursday: "What allowances were made for mistakes over prisoner release in the contract issued to Reliance?"

The SNP leader went on to say a senior Scottish Prison Service figure had told the media mistakes like that were "fully expected".

When Mr McConnell replied that references in the Reliance contract to releases in error provided for penalties to be paid, Mr Swinney said: "That begs the question of what are those penalties.

"It also begs the question of why have we waited so long for the first minister to issue [details of] this contract, so the public can be reassured."

The way to rebuild public confidence - to build public confidence, in fact - in our justice system is to implement the very reforms we are implementing Jack McConnell

Mr McConnell told him Reliance would have to pay penalties for prisoners released in error.

"The contract will be published as soon as possible, in the interests of public safety," he said.

"And we will ensure that every piece of information in that contract that can be published in the public interest, will be."

Mr Swinney said there was huge public unease over the issue

But Mr Swinney again pressed him for details of the penalties to be paid in the case of released prisoners.

"It is now four weeks since the first prisoner was released, four weeks to resolve these issues when we have been told the justice minister is dealing with this as a priority," said the SNP leader.

"Why isn't the contract published, why doesn't the first minister accept the enormous public unease about this issue?

"Dump the contract and start to rebuild public confidence."

But Mr McConnell told him: "The way to rebuild public confidence - to build public confidence, in fact - in our justice system is to implement the very reforms we are implementing."

He cited reforms to the court, justice and prosecution system, and the prisoner escort which would free up police and prison officers.