Criminals who refuse to face their victims' families during sentencing could face solitary confinement for weeks and have their visits blocked in a crackdown on justice. Judges in England and Wales will be granted the harsher powers from next year, building on existing law that mandates criminals must attend sentencing.
Currently, if they refuse to come to court, they can be fined or handed an additional two years in jail for contempt of court. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) hopes this change will push criminals to attend. It acknowledged that convicts with long sentences may not be deterred by more jail time alone.
New Powers for Judges
If they refuse to attend, convicts could be kept in their cells for up to three weeks and have any privileges revoked. Their visitors may be blocked entirely for nearly a month, and limited to once every four weeks afterwards for almost three months. However, visits from prisoners' children will be exempt.
Younger criminals will have slightly different rules. Those aged 18-20 could be given the same punishments for shorter time frames.
Minister's Statement
"Criminals should not be able to pick and choose when they face justice," Prisons Minister Catherine McKinnell said. "Refusing to turn up to sentencing is an insult to victims and their families, and offenders must face the consequences."
Several brutal killers have refused to face their victims' families in court, including the triple crossbow and knife killer Kyle Clifford. He "carefully" planned the murder of his ex-partner, her sister and mother on July 9 after becoming "enraged" when 25-year-old Louise Hunt ended their 18-month relationship. Ahead of sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Joel Bennathan said: "If he doesn't have the courage to show up, so be it".
Victims' Commissioner Response
Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman OBE, said the announcement followed "tireless efforts of victims' families" refusing to accept convicts "opting out of facing justice". She said it was "essential" the powers were used "consistently by courts and prisons, so families receive the justice and accountability they deserve".
