Overview
- The government laid detailed regulations this week that let Crown Court judges punish offenders who refuse to attend or are removed from sentencing by restricting privileges, confining them to their cell, and curbing social visits.
- The prescribed penalties include loss of privileges for up to 84 days, cellular confinement for up to 21 days, loss of social visits for up to 27 days, and an option to limit visits to once every four weeks for up to 84 days.
- The measures supplement an earlier change that allows fines or up to two extra years in prison for contempt of court and apply to disruptive removals from the dock as well as refusals to attend.
- Regulations set reduced limits for 18–20-year-olds in Young Offender Institutions and exempt child visits when it is in the child's best interests, and they will come into force next year after the parliamentary process.
- Supporters including the Ministry of Justice and the Victims’ Commissioner say the rules give families a stronger moment of accountability, while prison reform groups and former staff warn the sanctions may be hard to apply, risk harming relatives, and lack published evidence they will change behaviour.