UK NPM Statement on proposed sanctions for non-attendance at sentencing hearings

The UK NPM notes the government’s announcement of proposed sanctions for those who fail to attend sentencing hearings.  Although recognising the significant concerns of victims and their families, that these proposals aim to address, the UK NPM was established to prevent torture or ill-treatment in places of deprivation of liberty across the UK, including in prison, through independent monitoring and a focus on the treatment and conditions for detainees.

The use of cellular confinement or restrictions on visits as sanctions must be subject to appropriate scrutiny and monitoring. Appropriate safeguards will need to be put in place to ensure that vulnerable prisoners are not placed at increased risk. To support the UK NPM’s mandate to prevent ill-treatment in places of deprivation of liberty, the UK NPM Secretariat will engage with NPM bodies to discuss the potential impacts of the proposals and what steps monitors need to take to ensure detainees are not subject to ill-treatment.  The UK NPM Secretariat will consider further developments in the proposals and highlight any concerns as required.