UK: Refusing Sentencing Hearings May Cost Prisoners Privileges

Criminals who refuse to attend sentencing hearings in England and Wales could face stricter penalties, including loss of privileges and confinement to their cells, under new government rules. These measures, set to take effect next year, aim to address offenders who avoid facing their victims’ families in court.

The changes expand judges’ powers to impose sanctions. Offenders may lose privileges for 84 days, face cell confinement for 21 days, or have social visits restricted for 27 days, with visits limited to once every four weeks for 84 days. Younger offenders, aged 18 to 20, could face reduced penalties, with privilege removal for up to 21 days or cell confinement for up to 10 days.

Prisons Minister Catherine McKinnell stated, Criminals should not be able to pick and choose when they face justice. Refusing to turn up to sentencing is an insult to victims and their families, and offenders must face the consequences. The Ministry of Justice acknowledged that while these measures cannot guarantee attendance, they strengthen the consequences for non-compliance.

Pia Sinha from the Prison Reform Trust raised concerns about the new rules’ effectiveness. She highlighted the impact on prisoners’ families, particularly children, who depend on visits. Sinha noted, These measures will inevitably affect not only prisoners but also family members, including children, who rely on prison visits to maintain contact, and who have committed no offense themselves.

The rules exempt visits from prisoners’ children to preserve family ties. They follow the release of nearly 2,000 prisoners this month to alleviate overcrowding. Claire Waxman, the victims’ commissioner, supported the changes, stressing the trauma families endure when offenders avoid sentencing. Waxman said, I know how offenders’ refusal to attend sentencing hearings compounds trauma and robs families of one of the very few moments of accountability in the justice process.