Convicts should be made to wear uniforms while carrying out community service, the Tories said today.
The public have a "right to know" who is working on these schemes, according to Tory community justice spokesman John Lamont.
The measure is not aimed at turning offenders into "pariahs", the Tory said, but would remind them of their crimes and that they should face punishment.
Mr Lamont said: "We do accept, although by no means to the degree our soft-touch Scottish Government does, that in some cases community sentences are appropriate.
"In these circumstances, however, we believe that the offenders should wear high visibility clothing so the public is aware of the situation at all times.
"In a year when several notorious criminals have gone on the run, law abiding Scots have the right to know who has been placed on these schemes, not from a perspective of making everyone into a pariah, but because it is their right to know.
"It will also serve as a reminder to the offender that they have committed a crime and deserve to be punished."
The SNP Government is creating a "soft touch" in the justice system through more home detention for prisoners and phasing out short sentences, according to Mr Lamont.
"We will fight tooth and nail to keep Scotland safe," he said.
"If community sentences continue are to be pursued with the vigour that the SNP Government seems to desire then the appropriate security checks must be put in place.
"High visibility clothing is an ideal example of this."
