Killers who refuse to attend sentencing face cell confinement and loss of visits under new rules
Judges will get new powers to punish offenders who stay away from court
Last updated 22nd Oct 2026
Killers who refuse to face their victims' families at sentencing could be confined to their cells for up to three weeks or lose social visits under new rules announced by the government.
Crown Court judges will be able to impose prison sanctions on offenders who refuse to attend court to hear their sentences.
The government said the new powers are designed to ensure even those facing decades behind bars have "something more to lose".
What the new rules would allow
Under new rules laid before Parliament, judges will be able to impose a range of sanctions.
These include:
Loss of prison privileges for up to 84 days
Cellular confinement for up to 21 days
Loss of social visits for up to 27 days
Restrictions on social visits to once every four weeks, for 84 days
The government said Thomas Cashman and Jordan McSweeney, who both refused to appear in court to hear their sentences, could have faced additional punishments had the rules been in place at the time.
Existing powers
The government has already changed the law so offenders who refuse to attend sentencing can face a fine or up to two years' additional imprisonment for contempt of court.
It said that for murderers already facing decades behind bars, this can offer little deterrent.
The new measures build on wider reforms which give judges the power to order offenders to attend sentencing.
Those who still refuse could now face additional prison sanctions, on top of the powers that allow judges to impose longer sentences.
Minister's reaction
Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Catherine McKinnell said: "Criminals should not be able to pick and choose when they face justice."
She said: "Refusing to turn up to sentencing is an insult to victims and their families, and offenders must face the consequences."
She said: "We committed to change this and we've already strengthened the law so offenders can be ordered into court. Now we're going further, giving judges tougher punishments for those who still refuse – from being confined to their cells for weeks to losing prison privileges and visits."