ELECTRONIC TAGS FOR SCOTS CRIMINALS

Electronic tagging of criminals is to be introduced in Scotland for the
first time in an attempt to ease pressure on overcrowded jails.

The Scottish Office is now seeking tenders from firms which produce the
electroninc tagging systems for the two-year trial period which will begin
at sheriff courts in Hamilton, Aberdeen and Peterhead by the summer. It is
understood the 'restriction of liberty' orders, whihc will be mainly used
against house breakers and thieves, is being brought in following the
success of an experimental scheme introduced in England two years ago.

"There is no softening of approach to serious crime," a Scottish Office
source said. "Ministers still believe that people who commit serious
offences and represent a danger to the public should go to prison, but this
will give the sheriffs another option to consider."

The courts which will be able to hand out the new sentences account for 13%
of all cases in Scotland. "They were chosen because they are busy courts
which reflect a broad range of offences and cover both rural and urban
areas," said the source.

Tagged criminals are monitored by a central control system. If they are
under an order to remain in their home during certain hours of the day and
they leave, an alarm sounds in the control centre. They can then be taken
back into court for breaching the terms of their sentence.