Triple axe murderer Thomas McCulloch will be released from prison on Tuesday and could be set to settle in Dundee.
It is understood the 65-year-old will leave Castle Huntly open prison in Longforgan on licence after Scotland’s parole board approved his release.
McCulloch murdered three men during a bloody break-out from Carstairs State Hospital with Dundee killer Robert Mone in 1976.
Officials have now deemed him as no longer a threat to the public.
McCulloch has been spotted shopping in Dundee and has been granted over 100 unsupervised visits to the city.
It emerged last year that McCulloch was in a relationship with Dundee woman Susan Perrie, who he saw during his breaks from prison.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman John Lamont said: “I think a lot of people would think many prisoners should be released at some point but, in this case, life should mean life.
“The general public will be shocked and appalled this killer will be allowed back into the community.”
Hospital worker Neil McLellan, 46, and patient Iain Simpson were struck down by McCulloch with an axe, which he used to hack off Mr Simpson’s ears during his break-out with Mone.
After making it over the perimeter fence, the duo also killed PC George Taylor, 27.
While on the run, the pair maimed two workmen and held a family hostage.
McCulloch was initially sent to Carstairs State Mental Hospital in 1970 after attempting to kill two hotel workers over a row about a sandwich.
Both he and Mone were given life sentences after the break-out.
Despite being told they would die in jail, they used human rights laws to secure fixed sentences of 30 years, after which they would be eligible for parole.