Explanatory note

These Regulations specify the prison sanctions available to be imposed by judges in Crown Courts for contempt of court by an offender following a breach of an order to attend a sentencing hearing. They reflect the punishments that a governor can impose for an offence against discipline as mentioned in rule 55(1)(b), (e), (j) and (k) of the Prison Rules 1999 (S.I. 1999/728) and rule 60(1)(b) and (f) of the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/3371). These Regulations also provide for the governor to decide, in certain circumstances, not to implement, or to otherwise delay, pause or reduce the period of, any prison sanction imposed under a prison sanctions order.

An impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as a full impact assessment was published in relation to the Victims and Courts Act 2026 (c. 19). That impact assessment can be obtained online at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681b1b1f34321d7b2d873af2/vac-oia-ia.pdf or by writing to the Ministry of Justice, 102 Petty France, London SW1H 9AJ.