Criminals in Scotland may soon face enhanced monitoring through 'spy in the sky' satellite technology, following a campaign spurred by the family of Stacy Hunter, a woman whose killer was out on bail at the time of her death.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray announced that the government is actively pursuing the use of GPS (global positioning system) tracking for individuals eligible for bail and those subject to Home Detention Curfew (HDC) as they leave prison. "This is something we are moving forward," Gray stated in an interview with BBC Radio Scotland, adding that he aims to "accelerate" the full rollout of this technology, which he described as "available."

Stacy Hunter, 35, was found deceased at a cottage in Houston, Renfrewshire, on July 27. Her estranged husband, Jim Mair, 43, was also found dead at the scene. Mair had appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on July 6, charged with assaulting Ms. Hunter, and was granted bail prior to the incident.

The family of Stacy Hunter has advocated for stricter measures, including GPS monitoring, to prevent similar tragedies. Sean Hunter, Stacy's brother, expressed that current government plans to tackle misogyny, outlined by John Swinney earlier in the week, do not go far enough. "The main issues of immediate concern have not been addressed," he said. "I don’t think what has been proposed… is anywhere near good enough for the change that we are looking for."

He further emphasized the need for "real consequences" for dangerous and repeatedly offending individuals, suggesting that deterrence through stricter monitoring is more effective than appealing to their "better nature."

The campaign, known as Stacy's Law, calls for a dedicated GPS monitoring scheme for domestic abuse perpetrators assessed as posing a significant risk to current or former partners. Current electronic tags used on offenders primarily rely on Radio Frequency to verify their location at home, whereas GPS tags offer real-time location tracking.

While acknowledging that "practical things we need to work through" are necessary for the technology's implementation, Gray stressed the urgency of taking "measures that are necessary," stating, "We cannot tolerate violence against women and girls."

In January of this year, ministers approved regulations that permit the use of GPS devices. The Scottish Government has indicated that officials will evaluate the technology to determine the subsequent steps for developing the monitoring service. The proposals for addressing misogyny also include reviving a previously shelved bill and launching a public health campaign to challenge misogynistic attitudes, though the Hunter family maintains that more immediate action is required.