Judges to gain new powers to punish offenders who skip sentencing

Judges in England and Wales are to gain new powers next year to punish prisoners who refuse to attend sentencing, including keeping them in their cells for up to three weeks or restricting social visits for almost three months.

The measures build on an existing law under which offenders can be fined or jailed for up to two years for contempt of court if they fail to attend sentencing. The Ministry of Justice says longer jail terms alone may not deter people who are already in prison.

Under the new powers, judges could also ban social visits for nearly a month and withdraw other prison privileges for longer. For offenders aged 18 to 20, similar restrictions could be imposed for shorter periods. Visits from prisoners’ children will be exempt.

Prisons Minister Catherine McKinnell said offenders should not be able to “pick and choose when they face justice”. She described refusing to attend sentencing as an insult to victims and their families.

Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, called for evidence that the sanctions would increase attendance. She warned that restricting visits could punish prisoners’ relatives, who “have committed no offence themselves”.

Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman welcomed the announcement, saying families had worked tirelessly to prevent offenders from opting out of facing justice. She said it was essential that courts and prisons used the powers consistently.

The change follows calls from families whose relatives’ killers did not attend sentencing, including the families of Sabina Nessa, Zara Aleena and Jan Mustafa.