# Sanctions for skipping sentencing

> “The new powers will allow Crown Court judges to impose prison sanctions on offenders who refuse to attend sentencing, including restricting social visits for almost a month - ensuring even those facing decades behind bars have something more to lose.”
>
> — HM Government; Press release (Ministry of Justice), 22 October 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Police, courts, prisons](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/police-courts-and-prisons)
- **Speaker:** [HM Government](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/hm-government)
- **Made on:** 22 October 2026
- **Where:** Press release (Ministry of Justice)
- **Deadline:** 31 December 2027
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** Offenders who refuse to attend their sentencing hearing, and victims' families
- **When:** Next year, after the parliamentary process
- **Paid for by:** Not stated when it was announced
- **Quote source:** https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cowardly-killers-who-dodge-sentencing-face-tough-new-prison-punishments (checked word for word at its source on 25 October 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 25 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-sentencing-refusal-sanctions-2027

## Where it stands

The rules were laid before Parliament on 22 October 2026. The release says judges could impose loss of prison privileges for up to 84 days, among other sanctions, on offenders who refuse to attend their sentencing. It says the measures will take effect next year after the usual parliamentary process, read here as by 31 December 2027. The card moves when the rules come into force.

## Timeline

- 22 October 2026, Promised: The government lays rules letting Crown Court judges impose prison sanctions on offenders who refuse to attend sentencing
- 31 December 2027, Deadline (to come): Sanctions for refusing to attend sentencing due in force next year (editorial date: end of 2027)

## About the cost

No cost has been published.

## Sources

- [Ministry of Justice press release, 22 Oct 2026: Cowardly killers who dodge sentencing face tough new prison punishments](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cowardly-killers-who-dodge-sentencing-face-tough-new-prison-punishments)

## Checks

- Checked automatically by AI Journalist, not yet verified by an editor.
- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 25 October 2026.

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